Rescue operation on at Balco's mishap-hit plant

Rescue and relief operation continued for the second day today at the under-construction power plant of metal major Bharat Aluminium Company  (Balco) at Korba, where 14 labourers were killed in a chimney collapse, officials said.

The incident, in which 15 others were injured, took place last evening, when around 300 labourers were engaged in work at the 1,200 MW thermal power plant.

Fourteen bodies have been recovered from the debris so far and sent for post mortem, Korba District Superintendent of Police Ratanlal Dangi told PTI.

Earlier the district authorities had put the death toll at 20.

Several labourers are, however, still feared trapped under the debris, he said.

Balco Public Relations Officer B K Srivastava said according to eyewitnesses the chimney caved in during heavy rains and lightning in the area.

Lightning may have triggered the collapse, but the exact cause would be known only after an inquiry, he said.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh has already ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident and filing of an FIR against the private company's management.