Tamil Nadu: IOCL Worker Loses Life In Explosion At Chennai Factory

A worker lost his life in an explosion at a Chennai IOCL unit. The event occurred as workers were carrying out tasks, including welding, within an ethanol storage tank that had been emptied.

A fire truck enters the IOCL facility in Chennai after the explosion.

An IOCL worker lost his life on Wednesday and another sustained severe injuries following an explosion at the Indian Oil Corporation's facility in Tondiarpet, Tamil Nadu. The unfortunate event unfolded as workers were carrying out tasks, including welding, within an ethanol storage tank that had been emptied for maintenance, reported news agency PTI.

Upon receiving the distress call, five fire tenders swiftly responded to the scene. Fortunately, upon their arrival, the fire had already been extinguished, thanks to the prompt action of IOCL's in-house emergency response and fire safety systems, as highlighted by a Fire and Rescue Services official.

"The fire had already been extinguished upon our arrival, as IOCL has in-house arrangements and fire safety mechanisms," stated the official, as per a report on PTI.

One of the welders working at the facility died on the spot. Another worker, who suffered severe injuries, was promptly rescued by the authorities and rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

The exact cause of the incident remains unclear, an official said.

Earlier this year, a 22-year-old worker, identified as R Saravanan, lost his life while filling a gas cylinder at the IOCL plant within the SIPCOT complex at Perundurai in Erode district. Saravanan, a native of Attur residing near Perundurai, had been employed as temporary staff in IOCL's bottling plant for one year, according to the police.

The investigation uncovered that Saravanan was attempting to fill a 19 kg cylinder when it exploded. During the gas filling process, the base of the cylinder separated, and due to the high pressure, the metal parts struck Saravanan in the face and chest, resulting in his death.

The Perundurai police filed a case in relation to the incident and launched an investigation.