2009 Korba chimney collapse
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The 2009 Korba chimney collapse occurred in the town of Korba in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh on 23 September 2009. The first 100 m (330 ft) of the chimney which was under construction by Bharat Aluminium Co Ltd (BALCO) collapsed on top of more than 100 workers, with twenty-five deaths initially recorded.[1] Between fifty and seventy of the workers are still trapped beneath the rubble, meaning the death toll could still rise;[2][3] as of 25 September, 40 bodies have been recovered.[4] Corpses were found strewn across the site.[5]
Incident and rescue
Plans specify a 275-metre (902 ft) chimney for the construction of a thermal power plant by Balco, which is owned by Vedanta Resources.[1][6][7] The incident happened during extreme weather conditions involving lightning and torrential rainfall. Workers sought shelter from the rain in a nearby store room,[1][5] and a lightning strike at approximately 16:00 brought the chimney down on top of them.[8][5]
A rescue attempt was initiated following the collapse.[2] Ongoing rain is obstructing efforts to retrieve the trapped workers.[8] At least seven of the wounded have been hospitalised.[6] An employee was allegedly thrashed to death as well; his corpse was located near the scene.[8] It was originally thought he had fallen from the chimney, but wounds indicate he was attacked.[5] Five cranes are involved in the rescue efforts.[8][5] Family members have gathered at the scene to wait for news.[6]
Reaction
An investigation has been ordered.[9][10][11] Balco has not discussed the incident at length, stating only that "[t]here is an accident and some people are injured";[11] it claimed to be too busy with the rescue effort to make a longer statement.[8] Balco is 49% owned by the Indian government, with the management under the control of Sterlite India Ltd., a subsidiary of the UK-based mining giant Vedanta Resources.[2][6][12] The state government believes that Balco had been "overlooking security aspects".[13] District superintendent of police, Ratanlal Dangi, described it as "a massive accident".[9] Rs.100,000 (US$2084) in compensation will be granted to relatives of each of the dead.[3][13]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "25 die in accident at BALCO's new plant at Korba". Business Standard. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c "15 killed, 50 trapped in power plant chimney collapse in India". Xinhua News Agency. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ a b "Probe ordered into chimney collapse; 20 bodies recovered". The Hindu. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "UPDATE 1-India chimney collapse toll up to 40; many missing".
- ^ a b c d e "Balco chimney fall kills 24". The Telegraph (Kolkata). 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b c d "Deaths as India chimney collapses". Al Jazeera. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "Many dead after construction accident in India". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ a b c d e "25 die in accident at Balco's new plant at Korba". Business Standard. 2009-09-24. Retrieved 2009-09-24.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "India chimney collapse 'kills 15'". BBC. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "15 die in power plant accident". The Straits Times. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "UPDATE 2-At least 20 killed in Indian chimney collapse". Reuters. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
- ^ "India chimney collapse kills 20, traps scores". The Daily Telegraph. 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "15 workers killed, 50 trapped in Chhattisgarh plant, probe ordered". Sify. 2009-09-23. Archived from the original on 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
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