20 dead, 100 injured as boiler explodes in NTPC plant in Raebareli

In a tragic incident, at least eighteen people were killed and 100 others injured after an ash-pipe exploded due to pressure at NTPC plant in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli.

Chief Medical Officer of Raebareli, DK Singh, said 20 people have died in the explosion. Initial reports suggest that most of the injured have suffered burns.

The plant has been shut down but several workers were still feared trapped under the debris as visuals showed people with severe burn injuries. The cause of the accident wasn't immediately known.

ADG Law and Order Anand Kumar has feared that the death toll may rise. NTPC has conveyed to the government that they might need additional help to control the situation.

The injured have been admitted to the district hospital. It is said that at the time of the incident, about 150 workers were working in the plant.

Ambulances were dispatched immediately after the incident. Rescue operations underway in close coordination with the District Administration. Over 1000 people work in this unit of NTPC.

A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team has also been sent to help in the rescue effort. CISF has cordoned off the blast site and assisting in relief operations.

The NTPC, in a statement, said "an unfortunate accident in the boiler of 500MW under trial unit of NTPC - Unchahar occurred this afternoon."

Govt sets up enquiry committee to probe the incident

The government has announced it has set up a committee to probe the deadly accident at state-owned power generator NTPC Ltd's plant today at Unchahar in Uttar Pradesh that has claimed 8 lives.

"An enquiry has been set up by NTPC Management to investigate the reasons for the accident. All possible measures are being taken to provide immediate relief to the families of affected people in close coordination with the district administration," an official statement said.

It added that a sudden abnormal sound was observed at Unit number 6 of the Unchahar power plant at 3:30 pm today at an elevation of 20 meters. "There was an opening in corner no 2 from which hot flue gases and steam escaped affecting the people working around the area," the statement said.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has taken cognizance of the explosion at NTPC plant. The CM has directed Principal Secretary to ensure all steps for rescue and relief.

The CM announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for next of kin of the deceased, Rs 50,000 for critically injured and Rs 25,000 for the injured.

Meanwhile, Minister for labour and employment Swami Prasad Maurya leaves for Rae Bareli to meet victims.

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