2 dead, 1 injured after fire engulfed Aurobindo Pharma power plant in Andhra Pradesh

Srikakulam: In an unfortunate incident, a couple of contractual workers died due to a blast in the boiler unit of Aurobindo Pharmaceuticals (Aurobindo Pharma) in Srikakulam district while another suffered grave injuries in the fire accident.

The incident took place on Monday (12th August 2019) morning when the three workers went to check the issue in the boiler which was reportedly blocked due to ash powder. The three of them were engrossed in cleaning the ash and other burnt waste at the plant. Suddenly, they confronted a burst of heat and the boiler blasted.

As per media accounts, Rahul and Raja Rao were trying to open a valve after they noticed ash obstructing the exit of a pipeline. As they tried to force open the obstruction, the piled-on waste crashed on them killing them immediately. The fly ash reportedly containing unburned carbon came in touch with oxygen, flaring up and killing the workers.

Two of them burnt to death on the spot while one managed to jump out of the window and saved his life.

The deceased have been identified as Rahul (shift in charge) and Raja Rao- the boiler operator of Aurobindo Pharma boiler unit. The one who managed to escape is identified as Y Sanyasi Rao, who has been admitted to a local hospital. He is reportedly out of danger.

A case has been registered under Section 174 of the CrPC (death under suspicious circumstances) JR Puram police and a probe has been launched into the matter.

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Following the death of the two contractual workers, a mild tension prevailed. Security deputed at Aurobindo pharma sealed the gates and workers including permanent staff were prohibited from entering the premises.

The incident was reacted upon by various groups. Workers Union staged protest against the management and demanded compensation for the deceased and the injured worker. CITU activists led by D Govinda Rao, N Neelam Raju, P Tejeswara Rao and others reportedly condemned the management for not following sufficient safety measures.

Further, Dharmana Krishna Das, Roads Minister, expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and stated that compensation must be given to those who had lost their lives in the incident.

Speaking to The News Minute, Aurobindo Pharma spokesperson told that the company had agreed to pay Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the kin of the deceased.

Prior to this, in 2016 the same unit (Aurobindo Pharma at Pydilbheemavaram in Srikakulam district) had gone through another horrific fire accident in which two people lost their lives while one was seriously injured.