The 2009 Korba chimney collapse occurred in the town of Korba in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh on 23 September 2009. The chimney was under construction under contract for the Bharat Aluminium Co Ltd (Balco). Construction had reached 240 m when the chimney collapsed on top of more than 100 workers who had been taking shelter from a thunderstorm. At least 45 deaths were recorded.[1][2][3]
Incident and rescue
Plans specify a 275 m chimney for the construction of a thermal power plant by Balco, which is owned by Vedanta Resources.[3][4] The incident happened during extreme weather conditions involving lightning and torrential rainfall. Workers sought shelter from the rain in a nearby store room,[3] and a lightning strike at approximately 16:00 brought the chimney down on top of them.[3]
A rescue attempt was initiated following the collapse. Ongoing rain obstructed efforts to retrieve the trapped workers.[3] At least seven of the wounded were hospitalised.[5]
Reaction
An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the collapse.[7][8] Balco initially did not discuss the incident at length, stating only that "[t]here is an accident and some people are injured";[9] claiming to be too busy with the rescue effort to make a longer statement.[3] The state government believes that Balco had been "overlooking security aspects". District superintendent of police, Ratanlal Dangi, described it as "a massive accident".[7] The state announced Rs.100,000 (US$2084) compensation for the family of each of the dead.[10]
In November 2009, the project manager from GDCL was arrested, as well as three officials from Vedanta Resources which manages Balco.
Litigations
The 2009 Korba Chimney Collapse case was headed by Judge Mahadev Katulkar. On 26 November 2009, he rejected bail pleas of BALCO officials, including Vice-President and AGM[clarification needed] of BALCO. He then sent the pair into judicial custody.[11] Later, on 18 January 2010, Katulkar rejected the bail pleas of three Chinese nationals who were contracted by SEPCO to build the power plant by BALCO.[12]
See also
- List of chimneys
- List of structural failures and collapses
External links
References
- Balco chimney mishap: Three Chinese officials arrested in Korba Hindustan Times, 11 January 2010, retrieved 26 January 2010^
- Jamil Anderlini. India questions Sepco staff over chimney collapse Financial Times, 29 September 2009, retrieved 29 September 2009^
- 25 die in accident at BALCO's new plant at Korba