Three die, 13 hurt in oil company explosion

A blast at the Gulf Oil Corporation Ltd. (Explosives Division) on Monday in the densely populated Kukatpally area here has killed at least three workers and injured 13 others.

According to sources, the explosion occurred around 2:30 pm when workers were trying to dispose of chemical materials at the detonator unit of the factory. The impact of the blast was such that the roof of the unit collapsed trapping several workers under debris.

The police confirmed the death of only two workers—Shravan and Amar—while one more unidentified worker was said to have died on the way to hospital.  Thirteen other workers, who were injured in the explosion, have been admitted in different branches of a corporate hospital.

At least 20 people were working in the unit at the time of the accident. Four were reported missing. The injured were shifted to Apollo Hospital after being given first aid at a nearby hospital.

Four of the casualties suffered 70 per cent burns and their condition is said to be critical. According a statement from Apollo, these patients were resuscitated before being shifted to the specialized burns unit at Apollo DRDO Hospital, Kanchanbagh. The others have been admitted to Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills.

Meanwhile, enraged kin of the injured workers have demanded an official confirmation about the accident and the whereabouts of their loved ones at the entrance of the factory.  Some of them even gheraoed Cyberabad Commissioner CV Anand demanding exgratia for those killed inside. The Gulf oil company had not issued an official statement.