A boiler exploded inside Vedanta's thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh state, central India, resulting in at least 19 deaths and 17 injuries.
Updates on the severe explosion at Vedanta's thermal power plant in Sakti district, Chhattisgarh state, on 14 April: today, local police chief Praful Thakur confirmed the death toll has risen to 19, while 17 injured remain hospitalized across several facilities, some in critical condition.
The explosion occurred around 14:35 local time, believed to be caused by a sudden rupture of a boiler pipe, releasing scalding steam that hit workers eating lunch nearby. The blast trapped many workers under debris, and rescue teams worked overnight to extract the victims.
Outside the power plant gate, the atmosphere was filled with sorrow and chaos as numerous relatives, mostly interstate laborers, gathered awaiting news. Many expressed frustration that neither the plant management nor authorities had officially released the names of the dead and injured, leaving families uncertain about their loved ones' status.
Ravindra Ram, a relative searching for his brother, revealed a shocking detail: just four days before the incident, workers reported to supervisors seeing dust and abnormalities coming from the boiler but were told "this is normal here," until the tragedy ultimately occurred.
Anil Agarwal, the billionaire chairman of Vedanta Resources, expressed deep condolences over the accident and confirmed that a high-level investigation into the true cause has begun. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai declared a firm commitment to strictly punish anyone found responsible due to negligence.
Meanwhile, surviving workers have begun expressing fear, with many starting to leave the area and resigning over safety concerns. One worker from Madhya Pradesh said, "This accident is too big. We are afraid it will happen again."