3 Dead from Boiler Tank Explosion at Sugar Mill

Three people died and two others were injured when a boiler at a sugar mill exploded during a testing in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India, on Monday evening.

The explosion, which took place during maintenance work at the Dalmia Jawaharpur Sugar Mill in the Ramkot police station area of the city, was so strong that the workers died on the spot, said police.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the district magistrate of Sitapur to immediately reach the spot and ensure proper treatment of the injured.

When the tank apparently burst due to increase in pressure, its lid bounced off and hit the tin shed of the mill.

According to Sitapur SDM (Sadar) Gyanendra Dwivedi, the explosion took place in a newly set up ethanol tank during maintenance work before its proper functioning.

“The accident took place after a blast in the fermentation chamber due to sudden buildup of vapour in the grain tank of the newly built ethanol distillery,” said Sitapur DM Anuj Singh while talking to media.

The DM said the exact cause of the blast would be ascertained by experts. “We will write a letter to the government to form an expert committee that will find out the exact reason. It will file a detailed report on the incident,” he said.