24 dead in Chhatisgarh chimney collapse, rescue work on

Korba (Chhatisgarh), Sep 24 (ANI): At least 24 people have been killed and many others trapped after a chimney at the Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh's Korba district collapsed on Wednesday.

Around 300 labourers were working when the chimney, being set up by CEFCO company collapsed.

Narendra Mishra, an eyewitness, said that the 250-foot (75-metres) tall chimney crumbled like a piece of stick.

The state government has declared an ex-gratia of one lakh rupees to the next of kin of those killed in the accident.

Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh has ordered a judicial inquiry. (ANI)