Sakti, Chhattisgarh (Gurpreet Singh): A catastrophic industrial accident at the Vedanta Power Plant in Sakti district, Chhattisgarh, has claimed the lives of at least 11 workers and left 22 others injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at approximately 2:30 PM in the Singhitarai area. Preliminary reports from the police indicate that the blast originated in a boiler tube connected to one of the power units. The force of the explosion was so severe that it triggered panic throughout the facility, with smoke visible from several kilometres away.
Sakti Superintendent of Police Prafull Thakur confirmed the rising toll, stating that four workers died instantly at the site while seven others succumbed to their injuries during treatment at various hospitals. The injured personnel have been transported to medical facilities in the neighbouring Raigarh district, including the OP Jindal Fortis Hospital, where several remain in critical condition with severe burn injuries. Rescue operations were carried out by local administration and police teams, though the intense heat from the blast site initially hampered efforts to reach those trapped inside.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, along with ₹50,000 for the injured. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the tragedy as heart-wrenching and ordered an impartial high-level probe. He assured that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for safety lapses. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, including former CM Bhupesh Baghel and State Congress President Deepak Baij, have demanded a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of the deceased, alleging criminal negligence by the plant management.
A spokesperson for the Vedanta Power Plant stated that the incident involved personnel from their sub-contractor, NTPC GE Power Services Limited (NGSL), which is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the boiler unit. The company expressed its deepest sympathies to the affected families and stated that a thorough investigation has been initiated to determine the exact cause of the pipeline burst. The plant authorities further emphasized that their immediate priority is ensuring the best possible medical care for the injured workers.
