An explosion took place at a Tata Steel coke plant unit in Jamshedpur on Saturday morning, injuring three contract employees, Tata Steel said in a statement.
The blast sound was heard at 10:20 am. The company tweeted in the afternoon, “Today morning, we reported an incident of blasting sound in a coke plant unit, which was non-operational and is undergoing a dismantling process, at our Jamshedpur Works.”
The company added that three contract employees sustained injuries. Two of them were discharged while one of them is currently under observation.
According to a PTI report, Tata Steel said in a statement, "We wish to inform that today, at around 10:20 am, there was a blasting sound at battery 6 of coke plant at Jamshedpur Works. Currently, battery 6 is non-operational and is undergoing a dismantling process."
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren tweeted that the district administration in coordination with Tata Steel management is taking action for speedy recovery of those injured.
In an earlier statement, Tata Steel said, "We would like to clarify that there was no fire, as misrepresented in media. In case of any breakdown or emergency, there is a normal process of flaring of non-toxic gases".
A report published by PTI also quoted Binit Kumar Singh, Inspector in Jamshedpur circle's Factory Police Station, saying "A probe will be conducted to ascertain the exact cause behind the incident and also take the statements from the three contract workers who have sustained minor injuries.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)