West Bengal: At least 3 killed, dozens injured in Haldia IOC refinery fire
Kolkata/IBNS: A major fire broke out in an Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) refinery in Haldia in West Bengal's East Medinipur district on Tuesday afternoon, leaving at least three people dead and nearly 50 others injured, officials said.
According to sources, the fire erupted at around 2:50 pm. in a Naptha-Hydrogen mixing plant at the refinery during scheduled shutdown and maintenance works.
IOC plant's own fire tenders and state fire and emergency services' units rushed to the scene and brought the fire under control.
Local officials said at least three people have died and over 44 other workers have been injured in the accident.
Few of the injured people have been admitted to Kolkata hospitals as their health conditions deteriorated, reports said.
Expressing her grief, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter: "Deeply anguished by the fire in IOC, Haldia. Three precious lives were lost and my thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Those injured are being brought to Kolkata through a green corridor. GoWB will extend all assistance to ensure their speedy recovery."
Deeply anguished by the fire in IOC, Haldia.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 21, 2021
Three precious lives were lost and my thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Those injured are being brought to Kolkata through a green corridor. GoWB will extend all assistance to ensure their speedy recovery.
IOC officials said an investigation have been initiated into the cause of the massive fire.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.