At least 19 people have died following a boiler explosion at a power plant in central India, police said on Wednesday, with 17 others injured, reports AFP.
The blast occurred on Tuesday at a facility operated by Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, in Sakti district of Chhattisgarh state.
“The death toll in the power plant blast has reached 19, while 17 injured are undergoing treatment at various hospitals,” said district police chief Praful Thakur.
According to local media reports, the explosion was likely triggered by a pipeline rupture that released superheated steam, hitting workers who were having lunch at the time.
Anil Agarwal, chairman of Vedanta Resources, said he was “distressed by the extremely tragic accident” and announced a high-level investigation.
“We will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this matter,” he said in a statement.
Authorities in Chhattisgarh have also launched a separate probe, with Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai pledging the “strictest possible action” against those found responsible.
Industrial accidents remain a recurring concern in India, often linked to inadequate safety compliance and weak enforcement.
Last month, a fire at a fireworks factory in western India killed 17 people, underscoring ongoing risks in the sector.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
