Three workers injured in explosion at chemical factory
The Hindu
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Three workers were injured when a solvent vessel exploded accidentally within the premises of a chemical factory in Attibele Industrial Area on Friday. The blast resulted in a chemical leak which in turn released a pungent odour within a radius of several hundred metres. The incident comes after two fire accidents in the city in the last four days.
The blast occurred at Lake Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., a pharmaceutical-related plant, at around 1.05 p.m. “Eight workers were at the spot when the solvent vessel burst, splattering chemicals around. Two workers sustained significant injuries, while another person sustained minor injuries,” said Mallesh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Bengaluru Rural. The injured have been identified as Gnanavelu, 22, and Mune Gowda, 30, who, according to sources, suffered significant burns — up to 30%. A third worker, Suryanath, 27, escaped with minor injuries. The injured are being treated at a private hospital nearby and are said to be out of danger.
“When we reached the spot, the injured had already been shifted to hospitals but there was a fire raging, which we put out using two fire tenders,” said P.M. Nagesh, District Fire Officer, who led the operation at the factory. “The vessel was about eight feet high and eight feet wide. It had chemicals such as toluene, methanol, and hydrochloric acid. While we don’t yet know the exact reason for the blast, unregulated pressure or temperature may have led to an adverse reaction and blast,” he said.
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