The Hindu Business Line : Tata Chem tank collapse claims three lives

THE Tata Chemicals soda ash plant at Mithapur near Dwarka in Jamnagar district witnessed a bizarre accident today as two steel tanks of the unit collapsed on some seven workers who were at that time engaged in maintenance work underneath the tanks.

Three workers were crushed to death while the condition of one of the four injured is said to be serious.

Talking to Business Line, Mr Manoj Sasidharan, District Superintendent of Police, Jamnagar, said the accident occurred at a quarter to two on Monday afternoon.

"There were three steel tanks which were erected on steel beams and iron girders at the site. First to go was the second tank, followed by the first one while the third tank was left dangling. There were seven workers at that time who were engaged in fairly routine work beneath the tanks at that time."

A press release from Tata Chemicals said that an accident had occurred in the soda ash plant at Mithapur during lunchtime today and seven contract workmen were affected. "... Three have unfortunately succumbed to their injuries. Preliminary findings indicate that no designated work was assigned to the seven workmen in that particular area. The company is undertaking a detailed inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident."

The cause of the accident, which led to the collapse of the iron girders and the steel beams holding up the steel tanks in the soda ash plant, is not yet known. The injured were rushed to the GG Hospital in Jamnagar situated some 170 km away.

The bodies of the dead, all from nearby villages, have already been recovered.

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