The death toll from a boiler explosion at a sugar factory in Karnataka's Belagavi has climbed to eight after five more people succumbed to their injuries on Thursday.
Three people died earlier when a 40-foot-high boiler exploded during repair works at the Inamdar Sugar Factory near Marakumbi village in Bailhongal taluk on Wednesday afternoon. Two workers were declared dead on arrival, while another succumbed to injuries later.
The incident had left five others wounded, all of whom succumbed to their burn injuries on Thursday.
Deceased workers are identified as Deepak Nagappa Munavalli (32), resident of Nesargi, Bailhongal taluk, Akshay Subhash Chopade (48), resident of Chavadi Galli, Rabakavi, Rabakavi-Banahatti taluk, Sudarshan Mahadev Banoshi (25), resident of Chikkamunavalli, Khanapur taluk, Manjunath Gopal Teradal (31), resident of Hulikatti, Athani taluk, Gurupadappa Bheerappa Tammannavar (38), resident of Mareguddi, Jamkhandi taluk, Bharatesh Basappa Sarawadi (27), resident of Godachimalli, Gokak taluk andManjunath Madivalappa Kajagar (28), resident of Aravalli, Bailhongal taluk.
Factory authorities said the unit had been shut prior to repairs. However, while workers were removing nuts and bolts from the curfew wall for maintenance, hot water suddenly gushed from a valve and fell on those working below.
Eyewitnesses said the workers screamed in agony as the scalding water fell on them, causing severe burns. Fellow workers immediately alerted the management, who arranged ambulances and rushed the injured to a nearby hospital.
The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ramdurg, and the Police Inspector of Muragod Police Station visited the accident site and conducted an inspection. In connection with the incident, Muragod Police have registered a case under sections 125(2), 289, and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR has been filed against V. Subburathinam, General Manager (Technical Head), resident of Bengaluru, Praveenkumar Talki, General Manager (Engineering Head), S. Binodkumar, Deputy General Manager (Process), resident of Chamarajanagar. All three are currently working at Inamdar Sugar Factory, Marakumbi, Savadatti taluk.
SP Ramarajan further refused to reveal the names of the owners of the Sugar factory, where the incident took place, saying it is being investigated yet and will be revealed once correct information is recieved.
None of the owners of the factory have visited the accident scene, to inquire about the incident and console the families of the deceased workers. So far, no compensation has been announced from sugar factory owners and the government to the families of the deceased. It is said that the factory is being run by well-known politicians of Belagavi and the land of the factory is owned by the Inamdar family.
(With inputs from PTI)