PATNA: Over a dozen workers of the Gangotri Iron Factory were injured following a sudden blast in the factory’s furnace located at village Gokulpur under Bihta police station on Wednesday.
The condition of five of the injured was said to be serious as they had received about 40 to 50 per cent burn injuries. They were referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for their treatment while others were given medical treatment at the local hospital in Bihta, said Danapur DSP Anil Kumar.
According to him, the incident took place around 2.30 pm. The reason behind the blast could not be immediately known. However, the blast damaged the factory badly as its roof was completely blown up. These injured workers were working in the factory during day shift. As they were close to the furnace, they suffered injuries due to sudden blast, he said.
According to sources, the incident occurred when the workers were in the process of melting iron in the furnace. This iron was the same which could not be melted fully earlier either due to power failure or other reasons. However, when this iron was put in the furnace again for melting, the blast took place, sources said, adding that the factory badly lacked safety measures.
The DSP said that policemen have been deployed at the factory from safety point of view. The shocked local people rushed to the site and expressed their concern at the incident. Police have sealed the factory now to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident, he said, adding the injured persons were being given proper medicare at government hospitals.
The Danapur SDO and other police officials from Patna and local police station too rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation. A case has been registered with the Bihta police station in this connection.