Six workers were killed and four others sustained serious injuries after a coal kiln exploded at a steel plant in Chhattisgarh’s Baloda Bazar–Bhatapara district on Thursday. The incident took place at Real Ispat & Power Ltd, located in Bakulahi village in the rural outskirts of Bhatapara, during ongoing kiln operations. The sudden blast sent burning coal, ash and metal fragments flying across the platform where workers were present, causing chaos and heavy casualties. A large-scale rescue operation was immediately launched amid concerns that additional workers could still be trapped inside the damaged structure.
Baloda Bazar Superintendent of Police Bhavna Gupta told TOI that 10 workers were pulled out from the site during rescue efforts. Of them, six succumbed to severe injuries, while four were rescued alive. “Rescue operations are still underway as there is a possibility that more people may be trapped inside,” she said. Police personnel along with district administration officials rushed to the plant soon after the explosion to manage the situation and assist emergency teams working to clear debris and search for survivors.
The injured workers were initially taken to the Bhatapara community health centre for emergency treatment and were later referred to a hospital in Bilaspur after doctors found their condition to be critical, officials said. The explosion triggered panic within the factory premises as thick smoke and flames engulfed the area, forcing workers to run for safety. Several others reportedly suffered burn injuries after coming into contact with scalding coal. Authorities have ordered an investigation to examine safety compliance, once again raising questions over industrial safety standards in coal kiln operations.