Two die in boiler blast accident at Bengaluru factory, police detain owner

Accident

The explosion has been attributed to the built-up pressure within the boiler as it was not operational for some time.

TNM Staff

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The police in Bengaluru have detained the owner of a textile washing and colouring unit in Peenya after two workers died when a boiler in the factory exploded on Friday night.  According to media reports, the deceased have been identified as Srikanta (40), also known as Kanti, a resident of Kamath Layout in Doddabidarakallu, and Ramesh (35), a native of Bihar. Kanti, who is a native of neighbouring Kunigal taluk of Tumakuru district, had recently joined Santosh Kumar, the owner of the factory, as a business partner.  The factory unit — Phoenix Washtech Garments — is a few years old and was closed for a month due to maintenance work. The explosion has been attributed to the built-up pressure within the boiler as it was not operational for some time.  According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (North), N Shashikumar, the factory was set to resume operations again on Monday after the maintenance period. The mishap occurred when Kanti had gone near the boiler to check if the equipment was working properly.  Ramesh was also at the spot to unload some garments, which were sent for washing and colouring at the time of the explosion. Both of them died at the spot, police said.  Due to the impact of the explosion, even the walls and cement sheets of the factory were damaged. “We have detained Santosh Kumar, a resident of Peenya, for questioning and have taken a case of criminal negligence against him for allegedly failing to take precautionary measures to avoid hazardous incidents,” the Times of India quoted the police as saying. The Hindu reported that the boiler unit was unauthorised. Quoting TR Ramesh, Additional Director, Department of Factories, Boiler, Industrial Safety and Health, it said the washing unit was not authorised by the department and even the boiler was not registered.  The Labour Department officials reportedly said a criminal case will be registered against the factory owner.

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