A devastating accident in Odisha’s Sundergarh district has left three laborers dead following the collapse of an iron structure at a cement plant. After a grueling 36-hour rescue operation, authorities recovered the bodies of the missing workers from the debris, bringing the tragedy into sharp focus.
The collapse occurred on Thursday evening at the captive power section of a cement plant in Rajgangpur. The victims, identified as Susanta Rout, Ranjit Bhol, and Dashrath Patra, were contractors working at the site when a coal hopper gave way, burying them under tons of debris.
More than 60 workers who were present at the site during the accident were rescued promptly, thanks to the coordinated efforts of the fire service department, Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), and local police.
Dalmia Cement, which owns the plant, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and stated that the coal hopper management had been outsourced to a third-party vendor. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and are fully cooperating with the authorities in the investigation,” the company said in its statement.
An inquiry has been launched to determine the cause of the structural failure, with initial reports pointing to potential lapses in safety protocols. State labor authorities and local officials are also probing whether the contracted management adhered to mandatory safety regulations.
The accident has sent shockwaves through the local community, where many rely on the plant for employment. The government has promised compensation for the families of the deceased and support for the injured workers.
“We are committed to ensuring justice for the victims and preventing such incidents in the future,” an official from the Sundergarh district administration stated.
This tragic incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of workplace safety norms in industries across India. With many lives dependent on hazardous labor, experts stress the importance of regular inspections, robust safety measures, and accountability for contractors and companies alike.
As investigations continue, the Sundergarh tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of negligence in industrial safety.