ANGUL: Five workers, including one who is reportedly in critical condition, were injured in an explosion at Bunker-B of Unit-I of the NTPC-Kaniha power plant late on Friday night.
According to NTPC officials, the incident occurred at around 12.30 am when a mild explosion took place at the coal bunker, where coal is stored and heated as part of the power generation process. Around 50 workers were deployed in the bunker area at the time of the mishap.
The injured have been identified as Khageswar Sahu, Sukdeb Bhutia, Susanta Sahu, Kishore Pradhan and Balram Pradhan.
All five were initially shifted to the NTPC hospital. Khageswar Sahu and Sukdeb Bhutia were later referred to SUM Ultimate Hospital in Bhubaneswar for specialised treatment, while the remaining three are undergoing treatment at the NTPC hospital.
NTPC PRO Kaushal Upadhyay said the condition of the three workers admitted to the NTPC hospital was stable. Of the two workers referred to Bhubaneswar, one was reported to be stable while the other was in critical condition.
The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.
A high-level technical team has reached the spot and begun an investigation into the circumstances leading to the mishap.