Death toll from factory explosion in India rises to 12

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

The death toll of an explosion at a factory in central India that occurred on Tuesday has risen to 12, local media reported on Wednesday.

Two injured workers succumbed to their wounds late Tuesday while one more died Wednesday afternoon, taking the death toll to 12, officials told to PTI news agency.

Initially, nine people were killed and 14 others injured.

The blast occurred in a pipeline near the coke oven section of Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh state.

The plant is operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the country’s largest steel-maker in Bhilai city.

"There was a fire in a gas pipeline of Coke Oven Battery Complex during a scheduled maintenance job. Some persons working at the site sustained burn injury. All resources have been mobilized to provide adequate care to the injured," said SAIL in a statement.

Meanwhile, Durg district police chief GP Singh told Anadolu Agency: “Those injured have been admitted to the district hospital. The fire has been controlled.”

Last year, 43 people died in a blast at a power plant in Uttar Pradesh state.