A horrific explosion at a sponge iron plant in Chhattisgarh’s Balodabazar district has claimed the lives of six workers on Friday morning. The blast occurred around 9:40 AM when a pipeline carrying hot ash from the dust settling chamber leaked, triggering a massive detonation in the coal kiln. Scalding molten iron debris rained down on laborers working below, engulfing them in flames.
The victims, all hailing from various districts in Bihar, suffered catastrophic burns. Their bodies were so severely charred that identification proved challenging, relying on Aadhaar cards for confirmation. Among the deceased were father-son duo Sundar Bharti and Rajdev Bharti from Gaya district’s Gotibandh village. Just 15 days prior, they had left home seeking better wages through a contractor.
Five other workers sustained critical injuries and have been rushed to a burn treatment center in Bilaspur. Their conditions remain precarious as medical teams battle to save them. Eyewitnesses described a towering plume of smoke visible from afar, underscoring the blast’s ferocity.
Local authorities, including Collector Deepak Soni and SP Bhavna Gupta, swiftly arrived at the scene. The plant, reportedly owned by Nitesh Agarwal, has been sealed pending investigation. Labor department teams are probing safety lapses. The company announced compensation of 20 lakh rupees for each deceased worker’s family and 5 lakh for the injured.
Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi expressed profound grief, particularly over the father-son tragedy, assuring that their bodies would be transported to Gaya with adequate support for the bereaved family. This incident highlights persistent safety concerns in India’s industrial sector, where migrant workers bear the brunt of hazardous conditions. Officials vow thorough action to prevent future disasters.