NTPC blast is one of the worst explosions in India
In the deadliest explosion at a thermal power plant in the past decade, at least 20 people lost their lives and dozens of labourers were left wounded and sustained severe burn injuries as a blast ripped the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, on November 1.
Tragedy gripped an undertrial unit of the state-run thermal power plant on Wednesday afternoon after a boiler pipe burst at the site.
What makes the explosion one of the worst of its kind is that the unit was still being tested for operations.
Visuals of explosion circulating on social media indicate that the scale of the explosion is massive — and the casualties may only continue to build.
Got a video from my friend at NTPC unchahar. #NTPC @ZeeNewsHindi @abpnewstv @TimesNow @republic @indiatvnews @CNNnews18 @DDNewsLive @WIONews pic.twitter.com/H3ZncIde9o
— Mohit Sharma (@mohitshrm8) November 1, 2017
UPDATE: Death toll in NTPC plant explosion in UP rises to 12, around 100 people injured pic.twitter.com/8sKyNNjGJl
— Doordarshan News (@DDNewsLive) November 1, 2017
#NewsToday 16 dead, 100 injured in an explosion in NTPC plant in Raebareli LIVE https://t.co/4fqxBVUizL pic.twitter.com/vxiwoyRocm
— India Today (@IndiaToday) November 1, 2017
NDRF teams pressed into service at the plant are engaged with the UP police in the rescue operations.
UP Police tweeted late evening that the total number of casualties would rise once the blades of the boiler are cut.
Boiler tube explosion at Raebareli ( #NTPC Unchahar)~Latest update by 9.30 PM pic.twitter.com/JIFjbA7BFg
— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) November 1, 2017
The NTPC has launched a probe to ascertain what caused the blast that has led to the colossal tragedy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Office extended condolences to the deceased following the news.
Deeply pained by the accident at the NTPC plant in Raebareli. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. The situation is being closely monitored & officials are ensuring normalcy is restored: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 1, 2017
UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the grievously injured.
#UPCM श्री #YogiAdityanath ने दर्घटना पर गहरा दु:ख व्यक्त करते हुए मृतक आश्रितों को 2 लाख रुपये की आर्थिक सहायता देने की घोषणा की है।
— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) November 1, 2017
Various other political leaders have expressed shock and grief at the gravity of explosion.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is said to reach the site and meet the victims of the blast on Thursday morning. Incidentally, Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been MP from Rae Bareli since 2004.
Due to the unfortunate NTPC accident, I will visit Rae Bareli tomorrow morning. Will join Gujarat Navsarjan Yatra in the afternoon.
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) November 1, 2017
She too condoled the victims and survivors.
Needless to say, grief has engulfed the families of the labourers who have lost their lives in the calamity and the dozens who have survived it, grappling with severe injuries. In 2017, India's ordinary labourers definitely deserve better.
Watch this space for updates on the event.