Explosion at Nevyveli Lignite thermal plant injures 8; 2 sustain over 70% burn injuries

• While no deaths have been reported so far, at least two people have sustained over 70 percent burn injuries, said a spokesperson

• Fire has been brought under control. Presently, three units of 210 MW each have been shut down due to this incident, said a source

New Delhi: At least eight people have sustained burn injuries in a massive explosion that has been reported at a boiler of a thermal power station of state-run NLC (Neyveli Lignite Corporation) in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Thursday, an official spokesperson has told PSU Watch. While no deaths have been reported so far, at least two people have sustained over 70 percent burn injuries. "Eight people have been injured in the incident — six contractual workers and two employees have been injured. They have been admitted to Trichy Hospital. And no deaths have been reported so far," the NLC spokesperson said. 

"Two people have sustained 70 percent burns," he added. More details about the incident are awaited.

NLC shuts down 3 units of 210 MW each due to explosion: Sources

Sources, who spoke to PSU Watch on the condition of anonymity, said, "Fire broke out in one of the seven boilers of TS II power plant of capacity 210 MW at Neyveli. Two regular employees and six contract workers have suffered burn injuries in the incident. All of them have been shifted to Trichy Hospital immediately. And the fire has been brought under control. Presently, three units of 210 MW each have been shut down due to this incident and will resume generation only after all safety-related aspects are ensured." 

"NLC management is taking care of treatment and the well-being of the injured and their families. After providing initial treatment, injured patients have been shifted to Kauvery Hospital, Trichy, for further treatment," said another source. "A team of executives and doctors have accompanied them to Trichy to coordinate the treatment," the person added.

Explosion at Neyveli Lignite: Videos on Twitter show smoke billowing over thermal station

Videos doing the round on Twitter showed thick clouds of smoke billowing from the thermal power station. Unverified reports on Twitter also said that a total of 20 people have been injured in the incident, while eight people have been severely injured. 

Meanwhile, this is what Twitter is saying:

The backdrop

This is the third mishap reported on Thursday as at least 11 people died and over 1,000 were hospitalised after a major gas leak took place at the LG Polymers chemical plant in Vishakhapatnam earlier in the day. This was followed by another gas leak from a paper mill in Chhattisgarh's Raigadh district. At least seven workers were hospitalised after being exposed to poisonous gases while cleaning a paper mill. Of the seven, three are said to be in critical condition.