Explosion at chemical factory in Karnataka, two killed
Mandya (Karnataka) (PTI): Two people were killed and four others severely injured following a chemical storage tank explosion at a factory near Karekatte village here on Sunday, police said.
The blast allegedly took place while the Chemical factory was being relocated.
According to the police sources, two workers died on the spot. The injured have been admitted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences here.
The facility had been in the process of moving its materials from Karekatte to a new location for some time now, and the accident occurred on Sunday while the chemical tank was being cleared, police said, adding that the investigation is on.
Locals have raised an alarm about the factory's safety record, citing a toxic gas leak in 2022, which damaged crops in nearby areas and left two dogs dead.
It also had a negative impact on the health of the people living nearby.
Following strong opposition from the farmers and locals, and the intervention of local MLA and district administration, the factory's operations came to a halt and therefore, the owners had reportedly decided to move the factory to another location, they said.
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Worker’s body reaches Ranchi from Saudi 4 months after death; family rejects over compensation
Ranchi (PTI): The body of a migrant worker from Jharkhand’s Giridih district killed in Saudi Arabia in October last year has arrived at Ranchi Airport, but his family refused to accept it over pending compensation, officials said.
Shikha Lakra, team leader of the state migrant control cell, told PTI that, before taking the body of Vijay Kumar Mahato, the family is demanding compensation from the private company where he used to work in the Arab country.
Mahato was killed in an alleged crossfire between the police and criminals.
“Since it was a bullet injury case, the matter is before a court in Jeddah. The final compensation may depend on the court’s decision,” Lakra said.
“The Indian Embassy informed us about the body’s arrival, and coordination was done with district authorities. Our role is limited to coordination in cases involving overseas employers and foreign jurisdiction,” she added.
Giridih Deputy Commissioner Ram Niwas Yadav said the authorities will try to convince the family to perform the last rites.
“We have already sanctioned Rs 5 lakh under the government scheme for migrant’s deaths abroad. The compensation payment might take some time,” he said.
The body is currently at the mortuary of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi.
The Family members said they will only accept it if the company provides written assurance regarding compensation. “Without that assurance, we will not receive the body,” said Ram Prasad Mahato, the deceased’s brother-in-law.
Mahato, a native of Dudhpaniya village in Madh Gopali panchayat under Dumri block, was employed as a tower line fitter. His family said he was struck by a bullet during a gunfight between local police and an extortion gang and later succumbed to his injuries.
Social activist Sikander Ali said Mahato is survived by his wife, two young sons aged five and three, and elderly parents.
