Steel plant deaths: Process to match victims’ DNA samples with kin begins

A day after four workers were killed in a fire at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India’s (AM/NS India) plant in Hazira industrial area in Surat, the police on Wednesday started the process to match DNA samples of the deceased with their kin.

The police said contractual labourers Jignesh Dilipkumar, Dhaval Nareshbhai, Patel Sandeepkumar Ashokbhai, and Ganesh Suraj Budh had died in the fire. However, DNA tests have to be undertaken to know which body belonged to which labourer, as the bodies are completely charred.

On Wednesday, forensic science laboratory officials, factory inspector and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 4) Vijay Singh Gurjar visited the accident spot. Gurjar said, “We have taken DNA samples… The AM/NS officials are also probing how such an explosion took place…”