Death toll rises to six in Dibrugarh oil facility explosion
Oil India Limited has suspended four employees and initiated a high-level inquiry following the fatal blast at a Tengakhat facility.
The death toll from an explosion and fire at an Oil India Limited (OIL) facility in Assam’s Dibrugarh district has reached six, according to The Assam Tribune on Tuesday.
The latest fatality was 59-year-old Golap Dutta, who died from burn injuries while receiving treatment at a private hospital. Earlier on Tuesday, 39-year-old Kumud Gogoi, a semi-skilled helper from Borbeel Dighalia in Tengakhat, also succumbed to his injuries.
The victims, including Raju Dutta, Rupam Gohain, Tapas Jyoti Gogoi, and Shailen Gogoi, were staff of Mumbai-based Spectron Engineering Private Limited. This company was contracted by OIL to perform maintenance at the Intermediate Tank Farm (ITF) in Tengakhat.
The incident occurred on November 4 during maintenance work at the petroleum storage facility, resulting in a fire after an explosion. Nine workers were at the site during the blast, with seven sustaining injuries.
One worker, Indra Gogoi, was airlifted to Delhi on Monday for advanced medical care. OIL has suspended four employees, including three officers responsible for the ITF, and has launched a high-level inquiry into the event.
The public sector undertaking announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker and Rs 5 lakh for every injured person.