Two staffers killed in boiler explosion at chemical unit

CHENNAI: In a tragic incident, two employees who suffered burns in a boiler blast in a private chemical manufacturing plant in Ambattur succumbed to injures on Thursday, while another victim, who is critical, is undergoing treatment at the Kilpauk Medical College.


Meanwhile, the owner and the manager of the manufacturing unit have been arrested.Ranjan Kumar (24), a migrant labourer from Odisha, sustained 80 per cent burns and succumbed at around 10.30 am and Murugavelu (35), of Manavur, sustained  95 per cent burns and succumbed at around 9.30 am. The injured Vedamoorthy (45) suffered 45 per cent burns.

Vedhamoorthi
Vedhamoorthi


Police said that on Wednesday at around 11.30 pm, six employees were on duty at Suraa Sulphates functioning on Fifth Street, Ambattur Industrial Estate.“One of the employees allegedly operated the valve of a boiler and the pressure built up, which could have caused the incident,” said an investigation officer.


The trio were close to the boiler and hence sustained grievous injures. Hearing the blast, the other staff immediately alerted the ambulance which rushed to the spot and took the trio to the Kilpauk Medical College.
Meanwhile, relatives of Vedamoorthy said that the trio were forced to work on Wednesday despite it being a holiday on account of Moharram.


“The boiler was several years old and was not replaced. This could have caused the incident because we are not aware of safety measures in the place,” said Vigneshwaran, brother of Vedamoorthy.
The company has been manufacturing potassium silicate meant for use as raw material in soap manufacturing sector.


Murugavelu is the breadwinner for the family and is survived by his wife and two children. The arrested were identified as Lakshman Rao (66), owner of the unit, and Ramesh (45), manager of the unit.
A case has been registered under section 304A IPC (causing death by negligence).

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