Malfunctioning dryer at rice mill in UP: 5 workers die after inhaling smoke
Bahraich (UP), Apr 25 (PTI): Five workers died and three others were hospitalised allegedly after inhaling smoke emanating from a malfunctioning dryer at a rice mill in Bahraich on Friday, officials said.
The management has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the family members of the deceased workers.
The incident occurred at the Rajgarhia Rice Mill around 5 am, when workers entered the dryer area to inspect the smoke and lost consciousness.
District Magistrate Monika Rani said that the workers were drying paddy when smoke suddenly began to rise from the dryer, resulting in suffocation and the deaths of five of them.
A joint investigation team comprising the Chief Fire Officer, Assistant Labour Commissioner, District Industries Centre General Manager, and technical experts has been constituted to probe the incident, she said.
According to Vinod Agarwal, Director of Rajgarhia Food Products Pvt Ltd, the dryer is a fully automated machine that uses hot air generated from steam to remove moisture from the paddy. He maintained that there is no scope for smoke or fire in the system under normal conditions.
However, a worker noticed smoke inside the dryer early in the morning and switched off the machine to inspect it. When he did not return, seven other workers followed him one after another and also fell unconscious, Agarwal said.
The fire brigade was called to the spot and managed to retrieve the unconscious workers. They were rushed to the district hospital, where five were declared dead and three are undergoing treatment.
Chief Medical Superintendent Dr M M Tripathi identified the deceased as Rajesh Kumar (26), Bablu Prajapati (28), Gaffar (22), Jahoor (60) and Bittu Shah (30) from Madhepura, Bihar.
The injured workers include Surendra (40), Devi Prasad (25) and Sukhdev (30).
Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Ramanand Prasad Kushwaha stated that there was no fire at the site, but the smoke was overpowering and caused all eight workers to collapse. Further legal action will be based on the findings of the investigative team.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed his condolences and directed officials to ensure proper treatment for the injured. The Chief Minister's Office posted on social media that necessary assistance must be extended promptly.
In a significant development, Rajgarhia Food Products Pvt Ltd has announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the five deceased workers and Rs 50,000 each to the three injured.
Director Vinod issued an official statement, saying, "The entire board of directors expresses deep condolences to the bereaved families. While we cannot undo this unbearable loss, as a gesture of humanitarian support and solidarity, we recommend Rs 10 lakh for each deceased worker's family. Additionally, we recommend Rs 50,000 along with full medical support for the injured employees."
The incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols at industrial units, even in highly automated setups. The administration is expected to review existing safety standards in such establishments following the probe.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
LIVE | Election Results of five states 2026
New Delhi: The countdown has begun for the counting of votes for the Assembly elections in five states that have captured the attention of people across the country.
The counting of votes for the Assembly constituencies of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry will begin simultaneously at 8 am, and the fate of candidates in a total of 824 constituencies will be decided shortly.
The counting of postal ballots will take place first, followed by the counting of EVM votes in several rounds.
► DMK candidate in Thiruchirapalli KN Nehru behind TVK's G Ramamoorthi by 292 votes
► The BJP has taken an early lead in West Bengal, while Mamata Banerjee faces tough competition
► TVK head Vijay leads in Perambur constituency
► M. K. Stalin is leading in Tamil Nadu’s Kolathur constituency.
► AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami is leading in Tamil Nadu’s Edappadi constituency
► In Puducherry, BJP is leading in 3 seats.
► In Assam, BJP is leading in 56 seats, while Congress is leading in 12 seats.
► Suvendhu Adhikari leads in both Bhabanipur and Nandigram
► West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee faces setback in Bhabanipur constituency
► Bhupen Borah, who recently left Congress and joined the BJP, is leading in Assam’s Bihpuria constituency
► Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is leading in Jalukabari constituency
► BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is leading in West Bengal’s Nandigram constituencyFive-state elections: Postal vote counting begins
► TMC, BJP lead in one seat each in West Bengal
► In Tamil Nadu, DMK leads in 3 constituencies, while TVK leads in 1
► UDF leads in 5 seats in Kerala, BJP in 1, LDF in 1
► BJP leads in 2 seats, AIUDF in 1 in Assam
► AINRC leads in 1 constituency in Puducherry
► TMC leads in 5 seats in West Bengal; Mamata Banerjee’s party maintains initial lead
► Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin leads in Kolathur
► BJP takes early lead in Assam
► Congress-led UDF leads in Kerala
► Tamil Nadu, TVK chief Vijay leads in the Perambur constituency, lags in Tiruchirappalli South
► BJP leads in 10 seats in Assam
► LDF candidate V.P.P. Mustafa leads in the Thrikkaripur Assembly constituency
► Out of 294 seats in West Bengal, BJP is leading in 14 seats, TMC in 12 seats, Congress in 2 seats
► Out of 234 seats in Tamil Nadu, DMK is leading in 15 seats, AIADMK is leading in 5 seats, TVK is leading in 2 seats
► Out of 126 seats in Assam, BJP is leading in 31 seats, Congress in 4 seats, AIUDF in 2 seats.
► Out of 30 seats in Puducherry, NRC+ is leading in 3 seats, Congress in 2 seats, TVK in 1 seat.
► Congress’ Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury suffers a setback in theBerhampore constituency in West Bengal.
