New Delhi: Three people have died and 44 have sustained burn injuries in a fire reported at Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) Haldia Refinery on Tuesday. The fire is believed to have erupted during shutdown related work at the refinery at around 2.50 pm in the afternoon. An official statement released by Indian Oil said, "Haldia Refinery is undertaking shutdown and maintenance of various major units. In the MSQ unit, during shutdown related works, at around 1450 hrs, today an incident occurred."
"The primary cause seems to be a flash fire leading to burn injuries to 44 persons and three persons have unfortunately succumbed to their injuries," said the statement. However, it added, "The fire has been immediately extinguished and the situation is under control."
Indian Oil said that after preliminary first aid to the injured at First Aid Centre, they have been shifted to Haldia Refinery Hospital for treatment. "District Administration's support has been solicited to ensure immediate evacuation of the injured. A green corridor has been operationalised with the support of the District Administration for shifting the injured and critical cases to institutes of higher medical management," said the oil marketing company.
According to sources who spoke to PSU Watch on the condition of anonymity, around 10 people are believed to be critically injured in the fire incident at the Haldia Refinery. Most of those injured were contractual workers and firefighters. No Indian Oil employee or officer has been injured in the incident, said sources. They added that fire erupted after the completion of an emergency drill, after which maintenance work was supposed to begin.
Authorities are inquiring into the cause of the incident, said Indian Oil.
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