- By Raju Kumar
- Wed, 15 Apr 2026 05:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Chhattisgarh Blast: The death count in a blast at the Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district rose to 17 with four more workers succumbing to injuries, police said on Wednesday. The explosion occurred on Tuesday afternoon in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the Vedanta Ltd power plant located in Singhitarai village.
The powerful blast left several workers with severe burn injuries. According to officials, four workers died on the spot, while nine others succumbed to injuries soon after the incident. Four more workers have died in hospitals, raising the toll to 17, Sakti Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur said on Wednesday. He said that a total of 36 workers were affected in the blast, and 17 of them died. Nineteen injured workers are undergoing treatment in hospitals in Raipur and Raigarh, he added.
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What The Authorities Said
Every possible effort was being made to provide the best medical treatment to the injured, said Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno, adding that the deceased were identified, and their family members are being contacted. Arrangements have been made to transport the mortal remains to their native villages via ambulance following the post-mortem examination and to provide immediate financial assistance, he said.
Vedanta Power Plant Issues Statement
"An unfortunate incident occurred at one of the boiler units at our Singhitarai plant on the afternoon of 14 April 2026, involving personnel from our sub-contractor, NGSL which operates and maintains the unit," a spokesperson from the power plant said.
"Our immediate priority is to ensure the best possible medical assistance and treatment for all those affected. We are extending full support to the injured and are closely coordinating with medical teams and local authorities. We are in the process of ascertaining details, and a thorough investigation has been initiated in coordination with our partner and relevant authorities. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families of those affected during this difficult time," he added.
The deceased include five labourers each from Chhattisgarh and West Bengal, three from Jharkhand, two each from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Amrit Lal Patel, Thanda Ram Lahre, Udhav Singh Yadav, Rameshwar Mahilange and Nadeem Ansari of Chhattisgarh, Susanta Jana, Sheikh Saifuddin, Manas Giri, Kartik Mahto and Shibnath Murmu of West Bengal, Tarun Kumar Ojha, Abdul Karim and Ashok Parhiya of Jharkhand, Akib Khan and Ritesh Kumar of Bihar, Pappu Kumar and Brijesh Kumar of Uttar Pradesh, they said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker and Rs 50,000 for those injured. Vedanta Power has also announced Rs 35 lakh compensation for the family of each deceased worker, along with employment support. The company will also provide Rs 15 lakh to each injured person, ensure salary continuation until recovery, and offer counselling support, a statement from the plant management said.
The chief minister has ordered an inquiry into the incident by the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division, assuring strict action against those found responsible.
The district administration has also ordered a separate magisterial probe, while the company has initiated its own internal investigation. The CM directed officials to ensure free and proper medical treatment for all injured and emphasised that no negligence in their care would be tolerated.
Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno has appointed the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Dabhra to conduct the magisterial inquiry.
The SDM has been asked to submit a report within 30 days covering key aspects, including the cause of the accident, whether it was due to technical or human error, and details of safety inspections carried out at the plant.
Opposition Demands Judicial Probe In The Blast
Meanwhile, the Opposition Congress has demanded registration of an FIR against the plant management and a judicial inquiry into the incident.
State Congress communication wing head Sushil Anand Shukla on Wednesday alleged negligence on the plant management's part and accused the government of attempting to shield those responsible.
He also demanded compensation of Rs 1 crore for the families of the deceased and Rs 50 lakh for the injured. The construction of a 1,200 MW coal-based thermal power project (two units of 600 MW each) in Singhitarai, originally owned by Athena Chhattisgarh Power Ltd, started in 2009, but remained stalled between 2016 and 2022.
Vedanta acquired the plant in 2022, after which a 600 MW unit was completed and commissioned in August last year, while the second unit is still under construction.
(With PTI inputs)