Five injured in GSFC plant blast

Vadodara, Apr 18 (UNI) At least five employees of the state-owned Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals (GSFC) limited were injured, two of them seriously, in a blast in its sulphuric acid plant number 3 located on the outskirts of the city this evening.

According to Company sources the blast occurred in the natural gas pipeline during ignition and fire engulfed the plant causing heavy damage. The unit was recently shut down for annual maintenance.

The victims, who included four technical officers, were first rushed to the Company's own medical centre and later shifted to private hospitals in the city with burn injuries. The condition of two is stated to be critical.

Reports said the plant's own fire fighters fought for nearly one hour to control the blaze. The extent of damage was not immediately known.

Senior officials of the Company, including its managing director A K luke, have rushed to the spot.

Sources said there were about 100 employees in the plant when the blast occurred. But a major disaster was averted due to immediate steps taken by the staff and fire brigade.

Meanwhile, GSFC Employees' Union, which is staging a ''dharna'' before the Company's main entrance for nearly a month demanding proper medical facilities for the employees, has blamed the management for the lack of poor safety measures and proper health care facilities.

UNI SS MAZ HS RN2158