Three Workers’ Bodies Recovered from Collapsed Structure at Odisha Cement Plant
The bodies of three missing workers were recovered on Saturday from the debris of a collapsed iron structure at a cement plant in Odisha’s Sundergarh district, marking the conclusion of a grueling 36-hour rescue operation, police confirmed.
The deceased, identified as Susanta Rout (58), Ranjit Bhol (24), and Dashrath Patra (42), were employed by a contractor at the plant’s captive power unit in Rajgangpur.
The incident occurred on Thursday evening when a coal hopper, a massive iron structure designed to store large quantities of coal, suddenly collapsed. Brijesh Kumar Rai, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Western Range (Rourkela), stated that the workers became trapped beneath the structure, leading to the tragic loss of life.
The rescue operation involved multiple agencies, including local police and disaster response teams, who worked tirelessly to recover the bodies. Despite the coordinated efforts, the collapse caused irreparable damage, leaving families and colleagues mourning the loss of the three men.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collapse and assess whether there were lapses in safety protocols at the plant.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about worker safety and industrial practices in the region. Families of the deceased have called for accountability and adequate compensation for their loss.
Further updates regarding the inquiry and remedial measures to prevent such incidents in the future are awaited.