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.
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IAF to hold 2-day wargame along frontier with Pakistan: NOTAM issued
New Delhi, May 6 (PTI): The Indian Air Force will carry out a two-day mega military exercise along the border with Pakistan from Wednesday that will involve all the frontline fighter jets including Rafale, Su-30 and Jaguar aircraft, sources in the defence establishment said on Tuesday.
The exercise is taking place amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
India's civil aviation authorities have already issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for the major air exercise that will largely take place along the southern and western section of the Indo-Pakistan border.
India's frontline fighter jets including the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Tejas and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft are set to feature in the exercise, the sources said.
In the course of the exercise, the IAF will simulate enemy targets on ground and in the air with deadly precision, they said.
The militaries of both India and Pakistan are on a high alert following rising tensions between the two nations.
Soon after the Pahalgam terror attack, India, citing "cross-border linkages" to the strike, promised severe punishment to those involved in it.
In a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on April 29, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the terror attack.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh met Prime Minister Modi on Sunday and the Chief of Air Staff briefed him about the IAF's operational readiness.
On Saturday, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi apprised the prime minister on the overall situation in the critical sea lanes in the Arabian Sea.
