One worker was killed and at least 40 others were injured in an explosion that occurred in an under-construction cooling tower at the Hindustan Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd (HPCL) on Friday.

The injured, mostly contract workers were rushed to the nearby Naval Hospital, King George Hospital, Seven Hills, and other corporate hospitals.

The accident happened late afternoon and immediate fire and smoke which engulfed the area hampering rescue operations.

The company officials said that production was halted in one of the units due to the heat generated in the vicinity of the cooling tower. Production in the main refinery was not affected. Most of the workers were contract staff belonging to the company that was implementing the construction.

In May also there was a fire accident at the HPCL complex, but no casualties were reported.

However, the worst disaster occurred in September 1997, when a leak and explosion hit the liquid petroleum gas storage, killing 56 people, injuring many and affecting production loss.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed anguish over the fire accident in HPCL complex. He directed the in-charge District Collector and police commissioner to take up relief and rescue operations and provide medical help in co-ordination with the HPCL management.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

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