NEW DELHI: Several workers are feared trapped under debris following the collapse of a portion of the Dalmia Bharat Cement Limited plant in Rajganpur, located in Odisha’s Sundargarh district.
The incident took place on Thursday evening when a large coal hopper, an iron structure, collapsed inside the plant premises.
Emergency response teams have been rushed to the site to aid in the rescue operations.
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Officials from the local administration, including the DIG, SP, and sub-collector, have been deployed at the spot to rescue those trapped.
More than a dozen workers were present near the site at the time of the incident, a senior official said.
Rescue teams are working to reach those trapped beneath the debris as fears of further casualties grow.
Reports suggest that there may be fatalities in the incident, although the exact number has not yet been confirmed.
Sundargarh MLA Rajen Ekka has called for the arrest and interrogation of the factory manager, shift in-charge, and safety in-charge. He has also demanded compensation for the affected families and medical treatment for the injured.
“We want that factory manager, shift in-charge and safety in-charge should be arrested and interrogated. People should be compensated, and treatment should be provided,” news agency PTI quoted Rajen Ekka as saying.
“The coal hopper suddenly collapsed. We are currently at the spot, and cranes are being used to clear the debris. We suspect that some workers may be trapped under the debris, as they usually work beneath this structure,” said Rajgangpur police station inspector-in-charge, Manaranjan Pradhan.
Following the incident, workers and the families of those on-site gathered outside the plant. Family members of the workers expressed concern, claiming they were unable to get any response when calling out to their relatives.
However, both the police and the company have not confirmed how many workers may be trapped under the rubble.