Sakti/Raipur, April 14: At least 13 workers were killed and 22 others sustained critical injuries following a major boiler explosion at the Vedanta Limited power plant in Singhitarai on Tuesday afternoon.
The explosion occurred at approximately 2:00 PM in a boiler unit operated and maintained by sub-contractor NGSL (NTPC GE Power Services Limited) within the Dabhra police station limits. Sakti Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur confirmed that while nine workers died shortly after the blast—three on the spot—the death toll rose to 13 as four more succumbed to their injuries during treatment at specialized medical facilities late Tuesday night.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has ordered a high-level, impartial investigation into the tragedy and directed the Sakti district administration to prioritise relief efforts. “The news of the horrific accident at the Vedanta Power Plant is heart-wrenching. I have instructed the authorities to ensure immediate medical care for the survivors and a thorough probe to fix accountability,” the Chief Minister said, adding that strict action will be taken against those found responsible for any safety lapses.
Preliminary findings suggest that a technical failure involving a boiler tube rupture triggered the powerful explosion. The impact was severe enough to cause significant structural damage to the facility and was heard in nearby villages, sparking panic among local residents. The injured workers, many of whom are contract labourers from other states, are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals in Sakti and neighbouring Raigarh, including Jindal Fortis Hospital.
Commerce and Industry Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan reviewed the situation and announced the constitution of a formal committee of technical experts to ascertain the exact cause of the blast. Minister Dewangan has directed district officials to provide immediate administrative and financial support to the bereaved families.
In an official statement, the Vedanta plant management said its immediate priority is to provide the best possible medical assistance to the affected personnel. Local police and district administration teams continue to monitor the site, which remains cordoned off as technical experts conduct a detailed assessment of the damaged unit.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while expressing profound grief over the tragedy, has sanctioned an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).