Raipur Furnace blast toll rises to three; child labour angle under probe

Raipur: A 17-year-old boy died on Wednesday in the powerful factory blast on Tuesday at a private metallurgical unit in Raipur’s Urla industrial area, taking the death toll to three. The blast has triggered investigations into the alleged safety violations and the employment of a minor in hazardous work.The teen, Arun Pandey, of Janjgir-Champa died early Wednesday. Preliminary information suggests he was replacing an oxygen cylinder near the furnace when the blast occurred, said Mayank Gurjar, DCP, north Raipur. Lal Singh and Kamal Singh succumbed to injuries while being shifted to hospital.Police, forensic experts and labour department officials have launched a probe into the exact cause of the explosion.

Investigators are also examining if mandatory industrial safety norms were followed and whether a minor was illegally engaged in hazardous work, the DCP told TOI.Preliminary findings indicate the accident occurred during the tapping of molten iron. Officials said oxygen supplied through a cylinder was being used during the operation when the oxygen line allegedly caught fire after the control mechanism malfunctioned.

The workers closest to the tapping point bore full impact of the blast.Workers alleged they were made to work in the furnace section without adequate training or protective equipment. Witnesses working in the tapping section said power supply snapped immediately after the explosion, plunging the factory into darkness for nearly 10 minutes. “When power supply was restored, we found the bodies and body parts of our co-workers scattered around.

They were as young as my children,” one of them said.The factory, operational since 2005, manufactures and processes pig iron and ferro silicon products.Police said the investigation will determine the precise cause of the explosion and fix responsibility for any negligence and an FIR is being lodged.