Three dead, five injured in boiler explosion at Kanchi iron unit
TNN | Updated: Apr 6, 2019, 06:44 IST
More than 300 people work at the factory, said policeCHENNAI: Three workers died and five others suffered severe burn injuries after molten iron fell on them from a boiler inside an iron beam manufacturing unit at Kaniyampoondi in Uthiramerur of Kancheepuram district on Thursday night.
The Uthiramerur police detained three people from the factory in connection with the deaths. Police said more than 300 people worked in this factory where beams, channels and other iron products were manufactured.
The workers would drop metal scrap into the boiler and melt it at very high temperatures. The employees told police that molten metal spilling off the boiler was not new to them. Usually they would stand away from the boiler as the molten iron kept flowing out. But on Thursday night, when the workers were working near the boiler, there was an explosion. Hearing cries of help, others rushed to the spot when they saw molten iron falling on their colleagues.
“We wear safety gear but molten iron causes severe burns,” said Sanjay, who works in the unit. “It was 2am and there were not many workers who could help the victims,” he said.
The deceased were identified as Akhilesh, 34, from Uttar Pradesh, Surendra, 24, and Dinesh, 25, from Bihar.
The injured workers were rushed to a private hospital and Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. The five who sustained severe burn injuries are Sikander, 20, Ranjith, 27, Srikkanth, 30, Krishnadoss, 40, and Sashoo, 28. All have suffered 84% to 94% burn injuries and hail from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Police have detained three senior officials of the factory for inquiry.
The Uthiramerur police detained three people from the factory in connection with the deaths. Police said more than 300 people worked in this factory where beams, channels and other iron products were manufactured.
The workers would drop metal scrap into the boiler and melt it at very high temperatures. The employees told police that molten metal spilling off the boiler was not new to them. Usually they would stand away from the boiler as the molten iron kept flowing out. But on Thursday night, when the workers were working near the boiler, there was an explosion. Hearing cries of help, others rushed to the spot when they saw molten iron falling on their colleagues.
“We wear safety gear but molten iron causes severe burns,” said Sanjay, who works in the unit. “It was 2am and there were not many workers who could help the victims,” he said.
The deceased were identified as Akhilesh, 34, from Uttar Pradesh, Surendra, 24, and Dinesh, 25, from Bihar.
The injured workers were rushed to a private hospital and Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital. The five who sustained severe burn injuries are Sikander, 20, Ranjith, 27, Srikkanth, 30, Krishnadoss, 40, and Sashoo, 28. All have suffered 84% to 94% burn injuries and hail from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Police have detained three senior officials of the factory for inquiry.
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