Chhattisgarh Vedanta plant blast: Death toll rises to 24, 11 workers still hospitalised

The death toll in the explosion at a Vedanta Limited power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district has risen to 24, with 11 workers still undergoing treatment in hospitals, officials said.

The blast occurred on April 14 at the plant in Singhitarai village when a high-pressure steam tube connected to the boiler system burst, causing severe burn injuries to workers present at the site. Initial reports had confirmed multiple deaths on the spot, with the toll steadily rising as more injured workers succumbed during treatment.

According to officials, several of the injured sustained critical burns, with at least three reported to be in serious condition. The victims include workers from multiple states, including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

At the time of the incident, dozens of workers were on duty at the facility. The sudden release of high-temperature steam led to panic at the site, with emergency teams rushing to evacuate the injured and shift them to hospitals in Raigarh and Raipur.

An FIR has been registered in connection with the incident, naming company officials, including senior management, under charges related to negligence and endangering lives. Authorities are examining possible lapses in maintenance and safety protocols at the plant.

Preliminary findings have indicated that the explosion may have been triggered by excessive pressure buildup in the boiler system, though a detailed technical investigation is underway to establish the exact cause.

The state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, directing officials to examine safety compliance, equipment maintenance and operational procedures at the plant.

The explosion is among the deadliest industrial accidents in the region in recent years, raising fresh concerns over workplace safety standards in high-risk industrial units.