The death toll in the tragic collapse of a fly ash storage silo at Kusum Smelters Private Limited in Chhattisgarh’s Mungeli district has risen to four. On Saturday, authorities confirmed the recovery of three additional bodies from the debris after an intense 42-hour rescue operation. The incident, which took place on Thursday, initially left one worker dead and another injured after the 350-tonne fly ash storage structure collapsed at the smelting plant, located near Rambod village.
The collapsed silo, which contained fly ash, trapped several workers under the rubble. Upon receiving the distress call, rescue teams from multiple agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), launched a painstaking search effort involving over 400 personnel. The operation included the use of heavy machinery, cranes, and gas cutters to shift the massive structure and remove fly ash from the site.
After more than 42 hours of grueling efforts, the bodies of three workers—Jayant Sahu (35), Prakash Yadav (20), and Awdhesh Kashyap (32)—were recovered. The laborer who had been killed on Thursday was identified as Manoj Kumar Dhritlahre (35). The bodies were found amidst the rubble of the collapsed silo early Saturday.
In response to the incident, an FIR was filed against the plant incharge, Amit Kedia, and manager Anil Prasad, accusing them of causing death by negligence. The plant management has also been booked under various charges, including negligent conduct with respect to machinery. An investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the collapse and the responsibility of the plant management.
The devastating incident has drawn attention to safety concerns in industrial operations and the risks faced by laborers working in hazardous environments.
