Power Ministry Sets Up Committee to Probe NTPC Boiler Blast

Most of the injured are believed to have sustained burns from the explosion.

The Quint
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The blast at the NTPC plant in Unchahar left many injured.
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The blast at the NTPC plant in Unchahar left many injured.
(Photo: PTI)

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Thirty-seven people were killed and around 85 were injured as a boiler tube exploded in the NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. The 500MW tube placed in the under trail unit of the NTPC reportedly exploded due to pressure.

Most of the injured are believed to have sustained burns from the explosion. Relief and rescue operations were launched immediately and the injured were being rushed to nearby hospitals.

  • Thirty-seven dead, around 85 injured in an industrial blast in NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Uttar Pradesh
  • Reports said NTPC engineers were aware of a problem in a boiler unit and were working on it
  • An enquiry committee has been set up by the NTPC management which will submit its report in 30 days
  • UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of those killed

Power Ministry Sets Up Committee

The Ministry of Power has constituted a committee on 6 November, Monday, to investigate the causes of explosion at the NTPC plant in Unchahar.

Death Toll Rises to 37

A victim of the deadly NTPC boiler blast, brought to Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi after suffering extensive burns in the accident in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli, died on Saturday in New Delhi as his condition deteriorated, said hospital officials.

The toll has now risen to 37.

Death Toll Rise To 36

One victim, Santosh Kumar (40), succumbed to his burn injuries at the Safdarjung hospital in Delhi today taking the total death toll to 36. Kumar had suffered from 90% burns.

Death Toll rises to 33

One person, who had suffered burn injuries in the NTPC boiler blast in Rae Bareili, died today morning at the Safdarjung hospital in New Delhi, a doctor told PTI.

With this, the death toll has climbed to 33, making it the country's worst industrial disaster in the last eight years.

Six More Injured Admitted to AIIMS

Six more injured in the NTPC boiler blast in Uttar Pradesh were on Friday rushed to the national capital and admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). All of them have suffered extreme facial burns injuries, said hospital authorities.

The injured were brought to the AIIMS round 8.30 pm, after being flown to Delhi in an air bus. A green corridor was created from the IGI Airport to the AIIMS Trauma Centre considering the seriousness of the patients' condition.

"All the six patients have been been admitted to the Burns Department of AIIMS Trauma Centre. One patient has 60 percent burns while others have 25-50 percent. Most of them have facial burn injuries”, said a senior doctor.

9 Men With Burn Injuries Shifted to Safdarjung Hospital

Nine men, who have suffered serious burn injuries in the NTPC plant explosion in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, have been shifted to the Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi.

While two of the injured persons were brought to the Centre-run facility at around 8 pm last night, seven others were admitted in the burns ICU of the hospital early this morning.

"Five of the patients are very critical. While three of them have suffered around 80 per cent burns, two have got 60 -70 per cent burn injuries," Dr Rajendra Sharma, the medical superintendent of the Safdarjung Hospital, told PTI.

The other four patients have suffered burns ranging between 25-45 per cent, Sharma said.

"We have the arrangements in place, in case more patients are to be brought, we can accommodate them," Sharma said.

12 More to Be Shifted to New Delhi for Treatment: NTPC Chairman

NTPC Chairman Gurdeep Singh told media on Friday, 3 November, that 12 more people, injured in the explosion, will be shifted to New Delhi’s Safdarjung hospital for treatment and he added, “we’ll ensure that we can provide them with best possible treatment.”

The sequence of events and the data log will be analysed after which the reason for the explosion can be ascertained.
NTPC Chairman

Death Toll Rises to 32

Death toll in NTPC explosion has risen to 32, reported ANI.

Emergency Siren Was Ignored: Sources

When the pressure of steam, meant to rotate the turbines for producing electricity, began to rise, the plant workers alerted the authorities, sources told The Quint. They were asked to handle the situation on their own. If the steam pressure exceeds 100 - 150 pounds, the plant is usually shut so that it can cool down.

On 1 November, the steam pressure kept rising from 1 pm. The valve exploded at around 3:30 pm. Sources also said that emergency siren at the plant also went off a number of times in the last one week, but was ignored.

NDTV reported that the engineers at the NTPC plants were aware of a problems in a boiler unit and were already working on it.

RS Rathee, regional executive director of NTPC, told NDTV that the explosion happened outside the boiler and the “generation capacity of the plant was reduced on that day”.

He added, “We only shut down a plant or a unit when we feel we cannot repair it during ongoing operations.”

Death Toll Rises to Thirty

Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh confirmed that over 30 bodies have been recovered from the NTPC blast.

Toll Rises to 29

The toll in the massive explosion that ripped a boiler at NTPC's Unchahar plant in Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli district on Wednesday has risen to 29, the state-run power giant said.

"Twenty nine persons have succumbed to injuries and 85 are being treated at hospitals in Rai Bareilly and Lucknow," the NTPC said in an update issued in the evening.

SP Demands Probe by Retd High Court Judge

The Samajwadi Party (SP) today demanded a probe by a retired high court judge into the boiler explosion at NTPC's Unchahar power plant in Rae Bareli district which claimed over two dozen lives and left scores battling injuries.

"The news of the accident is deeply saddening. We demand that this serious incident must be probed by a retired high court judge," senior SP leader Ahmed Hasan said.

The families of the deceased should be given a Rs 50 lakh compensation, while those injured should get Rs 10 lakh, he said.

"Apart from this, we demand that the family members of the affected persons be given government jobs," he said.

NHRC Notice to up Govt Over NTPC Blast

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government over the death of 26 people in a blast at an NTPC plant in Rae Bareli.

Expressing its concern over the incident, the Commission said in a statement on Thursday that a "high-level probe into the matter is immediately required to ascertain the negligence and errors, if any, behind the incident, which involves the right to life".

It said there was need to ensure that such tragedies do not recur.

The notice has been sent to the chief secretary of the state. A detailed report is expected from the government within six weeks, the rights panel said.

List of Information on Injured Persons Released

The Uttar Pradesh Police has released a list of the names and information relating to the persons injured in the NTPC accident.

List of the Deceased Persons Released

The Uttar Pradesh Police has released a list of the names and information relating to the deceased persons in the NTPC accident.

Report on Blast to Be Submitted in 20 Days

According to News18, a probe report on the NTPC blast is expected to be submitted within 20 days.

Congress Seeks Judicial Probe Into Incident

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday met the workers injured in the boiler explosion at the NTPC plant here as his party demanded that a judicial inquiry be ordered into the incident that left 26 persons dead.

Taking a break from his Gujarat election tour, the Congress vice president visited the Gandhi family pocket- borough Rae Bareli to meet those injured in the explosion and said his party will demand a probe into the incident.

The office of Rahul Gandhi tweeted: “Labourers have said that the accident took place due to negligence and that there should be a judicial probe into the accident. I was sad to see the pain of victims of the NTPC incident. Their families should get better compensation and government jobs, while the injured should get all possible help.”

The Congress vice president was accompanied by senior party leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and Congress state president Raj Babbar.

Five Units of 1,050 MW Operational at Unchahar Plant: NTPC

State-run power giant NTPC today said five units of 1,050 MW capacity are operating normally at its accident-hit Unchahar thermal plant in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh.

The unit 6 of 1,550-megawatt (MW) plant, which supplies electricity to nine states, where a boiler exploded yesterday killing 26 workers, is under shut down, the power PSU said.

"This is to inform that Unit#6 (500 MW) of Feroze Gandhi Unchahar Thermal Power Station, Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, is under shutdown after an accident in the evening of November 1, 2017. The other five units of the station are operating normally," NTPC said in a statement.

The 500 MW unit was made operational in March this year where a boiler blasted yesterday.

The toll in the massive explosion in the boiler at the Unchahar plant today rose to 26 with six more persons succumbing to injuries.

Committee Conduction Probe: Union Power Min

Union Power Minister RK Singh has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh for the kin of the deceased, Rs 10 lakh for those with serious injuries and Rs 2 lakh for workers who received minor injuries.

A committee has been formed to conduct a detailed probe the cause of the blast and decide precautionary measures for future.
RK Singh to ANI

Further stating that he had met the families of the victims, Singh said that NTPC will help in every manner possible to recover the bodies.

Three Injured Shifted to Delhi's AIIMS

Police set up a green corridor till the airport to fly three injured to Delhi's AIIMS for treatment, said ANI.

PM Announces Rs 2 Lakh Compensation for Kin of Deceased

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 2 November, has approved Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of those killed in the NTPC explosion.

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Rahul Reaches Raebareli District Hospital

22 Killed, 66 Injured in Explosion: DM

Raebareli District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar told ANI that the death toll has risen to 22 and around 66 people received injuries. Rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force are currently underway, he added.

We’ve constituted team of a magistrate and a technical officer, which will conduct a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
Sanjay Kumar, Raebareli DM 

Death Toll Rises to 20, Nearly 100 Injured

The NTPC's Unchahar plant explosion in Raebareli district killed at least 20 people and injuring nearly 100, officials said.

The NTPC initiated a probe to ascertain the reasons behind the blast, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the grievously injured.

Victims undergoing treatment in hospital in Raebareli. (Photo: ANI Screengrab)

Dr Talha Shamsi, at the Rae Bareli hospital, said that many patients were immediately shifted to Unnao, Balrampur and Pratapgarh for treatment.

Rahul to Visit Raebareli on Thursday

Congress Vice President who is in Gujarat, took to Twitter to announce that he will visit Rae Bareli on Thursday, following the NTPC accident.

He added that he will join the Gujarat Navsarjan Yatra later in the day.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who represents Raebareli in the Lok Sabha, in her condolence message said she wanted to be with the families of the victims to share their pain in this hour of grief, but could not do so due to her indisposition.

Death Toll Rises to 18

Death toll in NTPC explosion rises to 18, 22 victims with severe burn injuries referred for Lucknow.

'Deeply Pained': PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief at the accident, while assuring that the situation was being monitored closely. In a statement released by the PMO, he said:

Visuals From the Spot

More Than 50 Ambulances in Service: UP Health Minister

UP Health Minister Sidhanth Nath SIngh said that more than 50 ambulances had been pressed into service to provide relief measures to those injured in the blast.

He also added that the Ministry had made arrangements n all the big hospitals in Lucknow, as well.

NTPC Management Sets Up Enquiry Committee

An enquiry committee has been set up by the NTPC management to investigate into the probable causes of the blast, a statement said.

Sonia Gandhi Expresses Condolences, Asks Cong Workers to Help in Relief Works

Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed shock and horror at the "terrible tragedy" in her Lok Sabha constituency Raebareli, where at least 16 people lost their lives and several others were injured in a boiler blast at an NTPC unit.

Conveying her deepest condolences to the families of the bereaved, Gandhi urged upon the authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.

She also asked the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee and party workers to provide all help in relief works and possible assistance to the families of the injured, the party said in a statement.

Toll Rises to 16

UP Principal Secretary (Home) Arvind Kumar said that the death toll had risen to 16, while 90-100 people were feared to have been injured in the explosion at Unchahar’s NTPC plant.

Toll Rises to 14

The Chief Medical Officer of RaeBareli DK Singh said that 14 people had now died in the explosion in the Raebareli plant.

Death Toll Rises to 12

UP Principal Secretary (Home) said that the death toll has risen to twelve in the explosion at the NTPC plant in Raebareli’s Unchahar.

Rahul Gandhi Condoles Deaths

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter to condole the deaths of the deceased in the Raebareli NTPC plant explosion.

Raebareli is his mother and Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s constituency.

Death Toll Rises to Ten

Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General Anand Kumar said that close to 10 bodies have been recovered from the explosion, while at least 60 to 70 persons have been injured.

Union Minister of Health Assures Cooperation from Centre

Union Minister of Heath P Nadda has assured complete cooperation from the Centre for rescue operations in the NTPC tragedy, tweeted Uttar Pradesh Minister of Health Sidharth Nath Singh.

Nadda also directed the Union Health Secretary to extend all possible help.

Politicos Condole Deaths at NTPC Plant Blast

Railways Minister Piyush Goyal expressed grief over the deaths that occurred as a boiler exploded in the NTPC’s Unchahar plant.

Congress leader Ashok Gehlot too condoled the deaths.

Former Chief Miniser of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of the tragedy.

JD(U) Leader Sharad Yadav said he was ‘saddened’ to hear of the tragic deaths in the NTPC plant accident.

Rescue Operations Underway

The district administration has rushed ambulances to the plant and directed health officials to provide prompt treatment to the injured. An NDRF team has also been deployed to assist the rescue operations.

UP Health Minister Sidharth Nath Singh said that hospitals near the plant had been put on alert to provide treatment to people affected by the tragedy.

Four Deaths Confirmed: UP ADG (Law and Order)

The Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Anand Kumar confirmed that 4 people had died in the blast, while 40-50 people sustained injuries. He further warned that the death toll is likely to rise.

Rs 2 Lakh Compensation for Deceased

A compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the kin of the deceased, while the kin of the seriously injured will receive a compensation of Rs 50,000.

The families of injured persons will receive an ex-gratia amount of Rs 25,000.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath Takes Cognisance of the Blast

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who was away in Mauritius on a three-day official visit, ordered that necessary steps be taken for rescue and relief.

"The chief minister has taken cognisance of the Unchahar accident and has directed principal secretary (home) to ensure that all steps are taken for rescue and relief," principal secretary (information) Awanish Awasthi, who is accompanying Adityanath said.

SP Shivhari Meena said that relief and rescue operations were launched immediately and the injured were being rushed to nearby hospitals.

Visuals from the Spot

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Published: 01 Nov 2017,05:29 PM IST

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