Dramatic video captures NTPC explosion horror

One may think it is a video of a Hollywood action movie.

It is in fact a video that contains dramatic footage of the blast at the NTPC plant at Unchahar in Uttar Pradesh's Raebareli district on Wednesday that claimed 32 lives and left around 100 injured.

The footage shows a cloud of thick smoke engulfing the area that appears to be a spot close to the blast site. It also shows a red hot furnace-like object.

The shouts of the panicky workers can also be heard.

The video, that went viral on the social networking sites, was filmed minutes after the blast on a cell phone by an employee of NTPC.

The short one-minute long video is reflective of the horror that visited the plant on the evening of Wednesday.  

According to the doctors here, the condition of around half a dozen labourers, who have suffered third degree burns, continued to be critical. Some of the injured were kept on life support system, they added.

Alarm ignored?

Meanwhile, in remarks that is certain to embarrass the Centre and the state government, UP minister for labour Swami Prasad Maurya on Friday held the NTPC management responsible for the tragedy.

Speaking to reporters, Maurya said that the NTPC officials did not pay any attention to the warning alarm and that resulted in the blast.

The minister denied that a no objection certificate was issued to NTPC without due checking.