Surat textile mill blast toll rises to 8 as three more die in hospital

Two labourers had died on the spot while 22 others working at Santosh Textile Mills at Palsana incurred severe burn injuries after a drum washer machine exploded on the premises on September 1.

Mill authorities rushed the injured workers to a private hospital where six more succumbed to their injuries.

The latest casualties include Sushma Mishra (39) and Yogendra Prajapati (37) from Uttar Pradesh, and Munna Das (29) from Bihar.

Police have also received DNA report from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), which confirmed the identity of the two labourers who had died on the day of the accident. They have been identified as Roshan Sahoo (24) and Devendra Singh (46), both from UP. Their bodies were charred beyond recognition, necessitating the DNA test.

On Tuesday, Palsana police lodged an offence under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 106(1) (causing death by rash or negligent), 125(a) (Act of endangering life or personal safety of others) and 125(b) (An Act endangering life or personal safety when grievous hurt is caused as a result of the rash or negligent act) against drum operator Anmol Sahoo and Alpesh Patel, the supervisor of the washing department, following a complaint lodged by one Ravindra Kumar Mohanto.

According to the FIR, “Mohanto was busy with his work in the packaging department near the drum washer machine unit on September 1 afternoon. The machine, number 10, exploded due to an increase in pressure. Operator Sahoo and supervisor Patel were out for some work, leaving the machine in a running condition.”

It further said, “Due to the explosion of the drum washer machine, the hot water mixed with chemicals spread in the air and fell on the labourers who were working in the nearby area, injuring them. After the incident, the labourers left the factory and reached a safer place. The shift in charge and others immediately took the injured labourers to a private hospital in Palsana, while two labourers died on the spot.”

A total of 15 injured workers were shifted to Om Shivam hospital at Palsana, while seven other labourers who were severely burnt were admitted to Apple hospital in Surat city.

After primary investigation, Directorate of Industries, Safety and Health (DISH) officials in Surat issued a closure notice to the factory, stating that it was not safe for the labourers to work in. The directorate will register a case in this regard in the coming days.

Deputy Director of DISH, Surat, Brijesh Chauhan, said, “Investigation is going on and we are trying to get technical details of the incident as to what led to an increase in the pressure of the drum washer machine. Experts have been hired. We will register a case under the Factory Act with the Surat District Court against the company authorities in the next couple of days.”

Palsana police inspector B D Zalariya said, “We have registered an offence against the drum washer machine supervisor, operator and others in relation to the accident. Presently, 16 other labourers are undergoing medical treatment in private hospitals. We have sent our teams to arrest both the accused. Once we get investigation reports from DISH, FSL, and GPCB (Gujarat Pollution Control Board), we will decide on our future course of action.”