4 Employees Killed in Rourkela Steel Plant Gas Leakage

Rourkela: In an unfortunate incident, four employees of Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) died after inhaling toxic fumes that leaked in the plant in the early hours of January 6.

According to local media reports, four contract workers of M/s Star Constructions working in the Coal Chemicals Department of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant felt unwell at about 9.00 AM.

The deceased were identified as Ganesh Chandra Paila (55), Rabindra Sahu (59), Abhimanyu Sah (33) and Bramhananda Panda (51).

"According to a preliminary report, the four workers died due to emission of carbon monoxide gas from the unit," the officials said.

Meanwhile, all the employees were immediately shifted to the OHS Centre situated inside the Plant and thereafter to Ispat General Hospital (IGH). They were taken to the ICU for intensive medical care and their condition was keenly monitored. All emergency protocols were immediately activated.

However, in spite of all possible efforts, the lives of the contract workers could not be saved. The doctors declared them dead at 11.40 AM.

Meanwhile, a high-level committee has been formed to inquire into the cause of the incident. The Plant is functioning normally.

Reportedly, six more employees were found critically ill after inhaling the toxic fumes.

Dipak Chattaraj, CEO, RSP has expressed deep anguish over the untimely demise of the 4 contract workers. He has said that RSP will extend every possible support to the bereaved families.

Earlier, in December 2020, a gas leak incident eas reported from Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) plant in Phulpur area in Uttar Pradesh which claimed lives of 2 people.

Notably, over 12 people are said to be injured in the IFFCO Phulpur plant gas leak incident. At the time of the incident, around 100 people were working inside the plant.

Phulpur plant comprises of two state-of-art ammonia and urea manufacturing complexes which got commissioned in the years 1981 and 1997 respectively.

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