Tragic Fire Claims Lives of Four Workers at Hazira Steel Facility in Surat
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Surat, Jan 1 (NationPress) In a tragic incident, at least four contractual workers lost their lives and another was injured after a fire erupted at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) facility on Tuesday evening in the Hazira industrial zone of Gujarat's Surat, officials stated.
Surat Commissioner of Police Anupam Singh Gehlot disclosed that the fire ignited unexpectedly when burning coal spilled, leading to a blaze in a specific section of the plant. Unfortunately, the fire took the lives of four workers who were on a lift at that moment.
Investigations into the incident have been launched by authorities, including the police and the factory inspector.
No accidental death report has been filed so far, according to an official from the Hazira police station.
The bodies of three victims have been sent to a civil hospital for autopsy, while the fourth remains unconfirmed.
A representative from AM/NS India expressed sorrow over the incident, attributing it to equipment failure at the plant's Corex unit.
The representative noted that the mishap occurred around 6 p.m. during the restart of the unit after a shutdown.
"The accident involved four contractual workers of a private company who were conducting maintenance on a nearby lift. Tragically, they could not withstand the impact," the company stated.
Additionally, one worker suffered minor injuries and received prompt treatment at the plant's on-site medical facility. This individual is reportedly on the road to recovery.
AM/NS India confirmed that all emergency protocols were immediately enacted and the affected area was secured to ensure safety.
The company is conducting an internal investigation to uncover the root cause of the incident and is actively collaborating with the relevant authorities.
The spokesperson reaffirmed the company's dedication to aiding the families affected by this tragedy, stating, "We are providing all possible support to the families of the deceased and injured workers."
This unfortunate event underscores the necessity for rigorous safety measures in industrial settings, particularly in high-risk environments such as steel plants.
Authorities and the company are committed to working together to avert similar incidents in the future.
