The death toll in the devastating firecracker factory blast in Dewas has risen to eight after two more injured workers succumbed to burn injuries during treatment. The victims, identified as Ajay and Niranjan, were undergoing treatment at MY Hospital in Indore following the explosion that took place on May 14 in the Tonkkalan area.

Hospital officials confirmed that both patients died late Friday night while receiving treatment in the burn unit. Doctors said their condition had remained critical since the day of the explosion due to extensive burn injuries. The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over industrial safety standards and working conditions at firecracker manufacturing units operating in different parts of the state.

Blast Leaves Massive Damage

The explosion occurred on May 14 at around 11:30 am inside a firecracker factory in Tonkkalan area of Dewas district. According to officials and eyewitnesses, the blast was extremely powerful and could be heard from a considerable distance. The impact of the explosion shattered portions of the factory structure and damaged surrounding areas. Local residents said nearby houses shook during the blast, creating panic across the locality.

Investigators said body parts and debris were thrown nearly 20 to 25 feet away from the blast site due to the intensity of the explosion. Visuals from the scene showed charred remains, burnt materials, and damaged walls scattered across the factory premises.

Workers Suffered Severe Burns

More than 20 workers sustained injuries in the incident, many of them suffering extensive burns. Several victims were shifted to hospitals in Indore for emergency treatment due to the seriousness of their condition. Doctors treating the injured said at least three workers had suffered burns covering nearly 99 percent of their bodies.

Hospital staff stated that burn patients required continuous monitoring because of high risk of infection and complications associated with severe thermal injuries. Medical teams at MY Hospital have deployed nursing staff in rotational shifts around the clock to ensure uninterrupted care for critically injured patients.

Earlier Deaths Reported

Before the latest fatalities, six workers had already died in connection with the factory explosion. Initially, authorities confirmed the deaths of Dheeraj, Sunny, and Sumit shortly after the blast. Later, two more injured workers, identified as Amar and Guddu, died while undergoing treatment at Amaltas Hospital.

Another injured worker, Ram, son of Mukesh Kumar, died earlier this week during treatment at MY Hospital in Indore. With the deaths of Ajay and Niranjan, the total number of fatalities has now increased to eight. Officials said several deceased workers belonged to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar and had reportedly come to Madhya Pradesh for employment.

One Patient Still Critical

Meanwhile, another injured worker identified as Vishal, 25, remains admitted in the neurosurgery ward after suffering serious head injuries during the blast. Doctors said the force of the explosion threw him to a considerable distance, causing severe trauma to his head and resulting in blood clot formation.

Medical teams are closely monitoring his neurological condition and continuing treatment under specialist supervision. Hospital sources said his recovery remains uncertain and he continues to require intensive care.

Hospitals Continue Treatment

Apart from MY Hospital, some injured workers were also admitted to Choithram Hospital in Indore for treatment. Hospital authorities confirmed that three patients were discharged after improvement in their condition, while one patient continues to remain under observation. Doctors indicated that the remaining patient’s condition is stable and discharge may be considered after further medical evaluation. Healthcare teams involved in the treatment process said extensive precautions are being taken to prevent infection among burn victims, which remains one of the biggest risks during recovery.

Safety Questions Raised

The factory blast has once again raised serious questions over compliance with industrial safety norms at firecracker manufacturing units. Labour activists and local residents have demanded a detailed investigation into whether proper safety protocols, storage regulations, and emergency arrangements were in place at the factory before the explosion occurred. Officials are also examining whether the unit possessed the required licences and followed mandated operational guidelines for handling explosive materials. Authorities have not yet released a final report regarding the exact cause of the blast.

Police and district administration teams continue to investigate the circumstances leading to the explosion. Officials are collecting evidence from the site and recording statements from factory staff, survivors, and local witnesses.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a detailed report from the Chhattisgarh government over the Vedanta plant blast in Sakti district that has claimed 25 lives so far. The commission took suo motu cognisance of the April 14 industrial accident and asked the state to fix accountability, ensure justice for victims and submit a full report within two weeks.

The blast at the Vedanta Power Plant in Sakti district left 36 workers severely burnt. Officials said three injured workers remain in critical condition, while five others are under observation. Two workers have been discharged after treatment.

Death Toll Rises

The death toll in the Vedanta plant blast has continued to rise over the past 10 days, making it one of the deadliest industrial accidents reported in Chhattisgarh in recent years. According to officials, the explosion took place inside the boiler unit of the thermal power plant on April 14 afternoon.

The NHRC issued notices to the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, directing them to submit a detailed factual and action-taken report. The commission said the matter involved serious concerns of human rights, workplace safety and administrative accountability.

Probe Flags Lapses

A preliminary inquiry by the industrial safety department found serious negligence in plant operations and maintenance. Boiler Inspector Ujjwal Gupta and his team inspected the site on April 15 and submitted an initial report to Sakti Superintendent of Police Praful Thakur.

Officials said the inquiry found excessive fuel accumulation inside the boiler furnace, which caused a sudden spike in pressure. The pressure reportedly displaced the lower boiler pipe and triggered the explosion. A forensic science laboratory report has also pointed to the same cause, according to officials.

Load Surge Suspected

Investigators said furnace pressure rose sharply within one to two seconds at around 2.33 pm on April 14, leaving no time for shutdown or emergency intervention. The blast occurred in a 2028 TPH water tube boiler, where pressure built rapidly and led to an internal explosion before spreading to external pipelines.

Officials said the boiler load was raised from nearly 350 MW to around 590 MW within a short period, allegedly to increase output. Investigators are examining whether the rapid load escalation, repeated faults in the PA fan, unburnt fuel accumulation and failure of the backup system contributed to the accident.

Officials Under Lens

The role of key operational and maintenance officials is now under scrutiny. Sources indicated that NGSL, which was handling operations and maintenance at the Singhitrai project, is central to the probe.

Rajesh Saxena, identified as project head and site in-charge, is among those whose role is being examined. Officials are also reviewing the conduct of maintenance teams responsible for boiler systems, turbines and auxiliary equipment. Authorities are investigating whether safety checks were ignored and whether standard operating procedures were followed.

Compensation Announced

Vedanta management has announced Rs 35 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased worker and a job for one eligible family member. Injured workers will receive Rs 15 lakh each.

Separate compensation has also been announced by the Centre and the state government. Under PMNRF, families of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh each, while the injured will get Rs 50,000. The Chhattisgarh government has announced Rs 5 lakh for the families of the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

What Happens Next

A magisterial inquiry ordered by the district administration is underway and has been asked to submit its report within 30 days. The inquiry will examine how the accident took place, who was responsible, whether technical or human failure caused the blast and whether regulatory inspections had flagged earlier safety lapses.

Chhattisgarh Vedanta Plant Accident: Death Toll Rises to 24

One more injured worker died on Sunday morning in the Chhattisgarh Vedanta plant accident, taking the total fatalities from the boiler blast at Singhitrai power plant in Sakti district to 24. The explosion on April 14 afternoon had left 36 workers with burn injuries. Twelve of them continue to receive treatment at hospitals in Raigarh and Raipur.

Death Toll Climbs Sharply

The latest victim breathed his last at Raigarh Medical College. Earlier, three workers had succumbed to their injuries in the past 24 hours, including two at a private hospital in Raipur. Four workers had died on the spot when the boiler in Unit-1 exploded around 2:33 pm on April 14.

FIR Filed Against Top Officials

Police at Dhabra police station registered an FIR against Vedanta chairman Anil Agarwal and nine others after the Industrial Safety Department flagged serious maintenance lapses. The preliminary probe report submitted to the Superintendent of Police pointed to negligence in operations and upkeep of the boiler system.

Jindal Flags Concerns Over FIR

Industrialist Naveen Jindal questioned the decision to name Anil Agarwal in the FIR even before a full investigation. In a social media post, he described it as a matter of serious concern and stressed that evidence should first establish liability. Jindal added that the same standard applied to government entities should hold for the private sector as well. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel also raised questions about the FIR process, claiming journalists were told that higher authorities had barred sharing of the copy.

NGSL's Operations Under Lens

Operation and maintenance of the plant rested with NGSL, the 50:50 joint venture between NTPC and GE Power India Limited. Project head Rajesh Saxena and the site in-charge, both senior-level officers, handled daily operations of Unit-1 and boiler maintenance. Officials confirmed that NGSL was responsible for regular monitoring, timely detection of technical faults, and adherence to safety norms.

Probe Points to Maintenance Lapses

Investigators found that excessive unburnt fuel had accumulated inside the boiler furnace, triggering a sharp pressure surge within one to two seconds. The boiler load had been ramped up rapidly from 350 MW to nearly 590 MW in a short span. The pressure wave displaced the lower piping system and caused the blast. The Industrial Safety Department also noted repeated issues with the PA fan and failure of backup systems. A team led by ASP Pankaj Patel is now conducting further inquiries.

Compensation for Victims' Families

Vedanta has announced ₹35 lakh and a job for the family of each deceased worker and ₹15 lakh for the injured. The Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund will release ₹2 lakh per deceased family and ₹50,000 for each injured worker. The Chhattisgarh government has pledged an additional ₹5 lakh to kin of the dead and ₹50,000 to the injured. Post-mortems were conducted at Raigarh Medical College.

Magisterial Inquiry Initiated

Collector Amrit Vikas Topno has ordered a magisterial inquiry that must submit its report within 30 days. The probe will establish the exact sequence of events, identify those responsible, examine technical and human factors, review past inspections, and recommend steps to prevent similar accidents. Police and safety officials continue to examine the roles of all officers linked to operations and maintenance.

As authorities intensify the probe into the Chhattisgarh Vedanta plant accident, families await clarity on accountability while the power sector watches closely for outcomes that could shape future safety protocols across similar facilities.