Eight killed in boiler blast at Indian soap oil plant
14 September 2012
Eight workers lost their lives and 13 others were critically injured in a boiler blast at a factory in Khanna, near Chandigarh in Northern India. The explosion at Sanjeev Agro Industry Pvt Ltd was heard miles away from the factory. The blast was followed by a fire which gutted the whole premises.
Police and inspectors look over the gutted plant
The factory produced rice bran oil for use in the manufacture of soaps and toiletries.
Sources said that at least 40 workers were present in the factory when the incident occurred, with half escaping in time. Two trucks and two tractors parked on the factory premises were also burnt.
Local authorities say a police case will be registered against the factory owner, Naval Aggarwal, who said that the blast might have occurred due to some lapse on the part of workers in operating the boiler, which contained hexane, a highly flammable gas.
Most of the injured are in a critical condition and have more than 50% burns.