Six dead, five injured in blast at steel plant in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar
Balodabazar (PTI): Six workers were killed and five sustained burn injuries when hot ash fell on them following an explosion at a steel plant in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district on Thursday morning, officials said.
The incident occurred around 9.40 am at Real Ispat and Power Ltd located in Bakulahi village, district collector Deepak Soni told PTI.
Thick black smoke was seen billowing from the factory from a long distance after the incident. Eyewitnesses said the bodies of the victims -- most of them from Bihar and Jharkhand -- were charred.
According to preliminary information, a dust settling chamber (DSC) connected to a kiln, where high-temperature ash was transported, leaked following the explosion. Due to the leakage, hot ash fell on workers. Because of its extremely high temperature, six workers died on the spot while five others suffered injuries, collector Soni said.
The injured workers were admitted to Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bilaspur, for advanced treatment. A district administration team was present at the site and the area was sealed as a precautionary measure, the official said.
A probe team headed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), comprising officials from the industry, industrial health and safety, police and revenue departments, has been set up to probe the incident.
Members of the plant management were being questioned while labour department officials had reached the village to ensure that the victims' families get compensation as per the norms, the collector said.
District Superintendent of Police Bhavna Gupta said rescue operations were still underway.
"More than 50 workers were present during the morning shift. One-to-one verification of all workers is being carried out. Some workers left the factory premises after the incident and efforts are on to contact them," she said.
Rescue teams, comprising personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police and the industrial safety department were removing fly ash debris while a forensic team was conducting an investigation, and strict action will be taken against those found responsible, Gupta added.
The victim workers were from Bihar and Jharkhand and their families were being contacted, the SP said.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the incident as extremely tragic.
"The horrific explosion at the sponge iron factory in Bakulahi, Baloda Bazar, is extremely tragic and heartbreaking....My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Every possible assistance will be provided to them during this time of grief. The district administration has been given clear instructions to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident," he said.
Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said he had spoken to the collector and instructed him to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. He also ordered a thorough investigation, the minister said.
Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives and praying for strength to the bereaved families, he said the state government stands firmly with the affected families.
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Dr. Thumbay Moideen featured in Entrepreneur Middle East 100 NRI’s of the year
Dubai: Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder of Thumbay Group has been featured in this year's “The 100 NRIs by Entrepreneur Middle East.”
The annual feature recognises 100 prominent Non-Resident Indian entrepreneurs from diverse fields. Other notable names on the list include Zakariya Jokatte, Ashish Koshy, Deepak Babani, Pankaj Kundr, Faizal E. Kottikollon, Dr. Vivek Oberoi, and Prashant Goenka.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, son of the late community leader B. Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, is a prominent alumnus of St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru. He has earned widespread recognition in the UAE and beyond for his contributions to higher education and healthcare. He is also a recipient of the Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award 2025.
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In 1997, Dr. Moideen founded the Thumbay Group, a diversified international conglomerate that has expanded into health education, healthcare services, and medical research. In 1998, he became the first Indian invited by the rulers of Ajman to establish a medical college in the UAE, which has now grown into a university with its own network of hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and pharmacies across the country.
Dr. Moideen’s achievements have been recognised in respected publications, including Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business. He has also received an Honorary Fellowship from the International Medical Sciences Academy (IMSA) and an honorary doctorate from Amity University.
Today, Thumbay Group institutions cater to students and healthcare professionals from over 100 nationalities, contributing to workforce development and research-driven healthcare practices. Dr. Moideen is widely regarded as one of the most influential Non-Resident Indians in the Gulf, a respected voice from the Beary community, and a leading Muslim entrepreneur and educationist.
Over the past decades, he has steered Thumbay Group’s expansion into a multi-sector organisation focusing on academic medicine, research-led healthcare, and global education. His initiatives have created opportunities for thousands of healthcare professionals and students while strengthening healthcare delivery systems and academic collaboration across regions.
