Mishap kills 3 labourers; 18 hurt

Korba, Nov 24 (UNI) Three labourers died on the spot and 18 were severely injured after a massive concrete slab collapsed on them at the Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board's still-under-construction Korba East Electricity Project, the police said.

Last evening's mishap occurred at the project's coal-handling plant. The deceased were identified as Yogesh Chouhan (22), Rmashankar (24) from this district's Koddia and Sanju Chandravanshi (32) from Atari town in Jharkhand's Gadwa district. The bodies were sent to the respective places after post mortem.

The injured were admitted to the CSEB hospital and the district hospital. A case of laxity has been registered against officials of the CSEB, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd and a petty contractor.

Incensed labourers damaged five vehicles today, demanded adequate ex gratia, comprehensive safety arrangements and protective gear. Several security personnel have been stationed at the spot.

UNI XC-AC 1645