A devastating explosion rocked a steel plant in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar district on Friday, claiming the lives of seven workers and leaving several others critically injured. The incident occurred at Real Spot Steel Plant in Bakulahi under Bhatapara Rural police station limits, where workers were performing routine cleaning around the DSC coal furnace.
Eyewitnesses described a sudden and massive blast that sent scorching hot coal spewing out, engulfing the laborers in flames and extreme heat. Five workers succumbed at the scene, their bodies severely burned, while two more died later in hospital. Chaos erupted as colleagues rushed the injured to nearby medical facilities, where doctors are battling to save the remaining victims.
Local police swiftly arrived, securing the site and initiating a thorough investigation. Post-mortems have been conducted on the deceased, and statements are being recorded from survivors and plant staff. Preliminary findings point to possible negligence in safety protocols, though the exact cause remains under wraps.
The plant management has maintained a conspicuous silence, issuing no statements or details on the mishap. This lack of transparency has fueled anger among workers’ families and nearby residents, who demand immediate answers and accountability.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took to social media, expressing profound grief over the tragedy. He urged the government to ensure top-quality treatment for the injured, provide adequate compensation to bereaved families, and launch a high-level inquiry to punish those responsible. As of now, the current administration under Vishnu Deo Sai has not announced any ex-gratia payments.
This industrial disaster underscores the urgent need for stringent safety audits in Chhattisgarh’s burgeoning steel sector, where worker lives hang in the balance amid rapid industrialization. Authorities promise a detailed probe, but grieving families await justice and closure.