Fire mishap in Vedanta-Facor plant: 2 workers in critical condition airlifted to Mumbai

Randia: Two workers, who sustained grievous burn injuries yesterday after fire sparkles fell on them at the Vedanta-Facor plant in Randia of Bhadrak district and were subsequently admitted to Kims Hospital in Bhubaneswar in critical condition, were airlifted today to National Burns Hospital in Mumbai.

As the health conditions of two injured workers Purna Chandra Sutar from Koranta and Bijay Kumar Behera from Randia localities further deteriorated, they were shifted for better treatment.

Besides, the district administration clamped Section 144 of the CrPC over the spot and in and around 200 metre radius of the industrial complex from 6 AM of April 12 to 6 AM of April 14, 2023. The IIC Bhadrak Rural police station has been directed to promulgate the order on the spot and take necessary and immediate steps to disperse the mob who are creating disturbance over the spot and to take action as per law against those persons, an order issued by Bhadrak Sub-divisional Magistrate read.

The large mob including some workers and local residents have resorted to the destruction of the industry’s property and blocked the State Highway by burning tyres and shouting slogans, the order added.

Views of the Plant authorities in connection with the fire mishap have not been obtained yet.

It is pertinent to mention, the two were working at the Plant site when the mishap occurred. Initially, they were rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Bhadrak for treatment. Later, they were shifted to Cuttack SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) after their condition deteriorated.

Tension has been prevailing in the area following the fire incident, a senior police official said.

A similar incident had occurred earlier in the unit owned by Vedanta-Facor, a month ago. The mishap then triggered tension after a worker received severe burn injuries due to fire sparkles falling on him.

The injured was shifted to SCBMCH in critical condition and later died while undergoing treatment.