Two labourers killed, 18 injured in boiler blast

Fatehgarh Sahib, Mar 24 (UNI) Two labourers were killed and 18 seriously injured today, when a boiler exploded in a Mandi Gobindgarh based industrial unit in the district.

The blast occurred in a steel factory, RP Forging and Alloys, where the boiler ripped-off apparently due to steam pressure built up and its parts hit the labourers standing in proximity, claiming two lives and injuring many others, police said.

Fatehgarh Sahib Civil Surgeon Dr SMS Sidhu confirmed that eight critically injured labourers were referred to DMCH, Ludhiana while 10 others were getting treatment at the Civil Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh.

The blast was so powerful that the roof of another industrial unit, Modern Steel Industry, was also blown up. The windowpanes and electricity wires were also damaged.

According to one injured person, he had just reported for the morning duty when steam welled up in the boiler and it exploded.

Fatehgarh Sahib Deputy Commissioner Ashok Singla and SSP Dr Kaustabh Sharma immediately reached the spot and inspected the site.

Mr Singla, who ordered magisterial probe into the incident, said the report will be submitted to his office within 15 days and stern action would be taken if there was negligence on anyone's part.

Meanwhile, the police is also investigating the cause of the boiler blast, Mr Sharma said.

The deceased labourers have been identified as Ramesh and Hassan.

Official sources said adequate compensation would be given to the families of the deceased.

There were reports that some injured were directly admitted to the DMCH but the health authorities did not confirm it.

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