Surat collector orders probe, GPCB asks Aether Industries to stop production

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Division I) R L Mavani, said, “We have identified the family members of all the seven deceased and taken their blood samples, which will be sent to the forensic science laboratory (FSL)) for DNA testing. Samples from the decomposed bodies have already been taken.”

The Aether Industries, meanwhile, on Friday said that the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) on November 30 ordered it to stop production at its blast-affected plant site until further instructions, the Reuters reported.

“We firmly believe that the closure direction is subject to reconsideration, and we have expressed our stance on the matter to the relevant authorities,” Aether said in a statement.
The five-member probe team set up by Oak comprises representatives from the fire department, GPCB, forensic science laboratory, industrial safety department and police. When contacted, Oak said, “We are waiting for the report… it will help us take further action.”

A police officer said that the fire had gutted 3,000 square feet of the company premises. “The fire broke out in the farm tank department where different chemicals, including Tetrahydrofuran, were stored. Tetrahydrofuran and the other chemicals that were stored are highly inflammable… There may have been a gas leak… when someone swtiched on a fan or a light, it may have started the blaze…,” the officer added.

Meanwhile, Congress on Friday handed over a memorandum to the district collector seeking that the state government should get an offence registered against the company on charges of culpable homicide. The party alleged that highly-influential people in the government are associated with the company and GPCB officials have shown negligence in duty.

It demanded that the government should appoint a retired high court judge to probe the fire. “In the last three years, over 300 industrial accident incidents had been reported from Surat and after every incident, a committee is formed… the reports are not publicly disclosed and steps suggested in the reports are followed,” the memorandum said.