Bhilai gas leak: Magisterial inquiry ordered

A magisterial probe has been ordered into yesterday's leakage of a highly toxic gas at SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant that left six dead, including two Deputy General Managers, even as authorities said casualties are unlikely to go up with all those taken ill out of danger.

"A magisterial inquiry headed by the Durg Additional District Magistrate has been ordered into yesterday's incident," Durg Collector R Sangeetha said today.

The leakage of carbon monoxide from the plant in Chhattisgarh's Durg district last evening had affected 36 people.

Five of them, including two DGM-rank officials, died during treatment, while the body of Vikas Verma, a contract labourer was found after de-watering the pump house where the mishap occurred, the Collector said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today called up Chief Minister Raman Singh today to inquire about the situation. Modi expressed his condolences for the families of the deceased and issued instructions for proper treatment and assistance to be given to those who have taken ill, state's Public Relations Department said.

Steel Authority of India Limited Chairman C S Verma, who visited the plant this morning, said a high-level inquiry will be conducted into the incident and all assistance extended to those affected by the leak.

The number of casualties, according to the company, was unlikely to go up further with all those affected safe and out of danger.

"Of those who were brought to the hospital, 21 have been released after first aid and necessary treatment. Nine persons are still admitted in the hospital for observation and medical treatment. Condition of these nine persons is stable and they are out of danger," SAIL said in a statement.

In a statement late last night, SAIL had said, "As per preliminary information, the main header of pump house No.2 which supplies water to the Gas Cleaning Plants (GCP) of Blast Furnaces suddenly ruptured at around 18:10 hrs.

"This resulted in sudden loss in water pressure to the GCPs and the Blast Furnace gas from the scrubbers entered the water pipeline affecting the people attending the breakdown in the pump house and in the nearby area".