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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Mayank Agarwal to replace Padikkal in RCB, DC sign Sediqullah Atal for Brook
New Delhi, May 7 (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday picked Mayank Agarwal as a replacement for injured Devdutt Padikkal, while Delhi Capitals signed Afghanistan's Sediqullah Atal in place of Englishman Harry Brook for the remainder of the Indian Premier League.
Padikkal, who played 10 matches for RCB this season and scored 247 runs with the help of two half-centuries, sustained an injury to his right hamstring.
Agarwal has played 127 IPL matches so far, scoring 2661 runs. He has one IPL hundred and 13 fifties against his name. He joins RCB for Rs 1 Crore.
DC, on the other hand, have signed up 23-year-old Afghan batter Atal, who made headlines with his heroic 85-run knock against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
Atal has played 49 T20s across various competitions, scoring 1,507 runs at an average of 34.25, including 13 half-centuries.
He first rose to prominence during the Kabul Premier League 2023, where he smashed 48 runs in a single over. In that innings, he remained unbeaten on 118 off 56 balls, which included seven fours and ten sixes. He also scored a century in the tournament final, making 103 off just 42 deliveries.
Atal played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s title win at the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024, topping the run-scorers’ chart with 368 runs in five matches.
He replaces Brook, who has been banned by the BCCI for pulling out of the IPL despite being bought at the auction.
"We are excited to welcome Atal to the Delhi Capitals. He is an exciting, young talent who has impressed everyone with his performances for both the Afghanistan youth and senior teams," DC head coach Hemang Badani said.
