In a tragic industrial accident early on Friday morning, five workers lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries after a rice mill dryer exploded in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. The blast, which occurred around 7 am, led to a fire that engulfed the premises in thick smoke, causing chaos and panic among the workers present.
According to the eyewitnesses, 15 to 17 labourers were working inside the mill when the dryer suddenly exploded while paddy was being dried. The explosion triggered a fire, followed by heavy smoke, which quickly filled the entire mill. Several workers lost consciousness due to suffocation and began collapsing.
Hearing cries for help, local residents rushed to the site and started rescue operations. The injured were carried out from the smoke-filled building and transported to the district hospital. Chief Medical Superintendent MM Tripathi confirmed that eight unconscious workers were brought in, of whom five were declared dead on arrival. The remaining three, in critical condition, were referred to the medical college for advanced treatment.
District Magistrate Monica Rani, who reached the spot soon after the incident, said the accident took place during paddy-drying operations. She confirmed that an inquiry had been launched to determine what led to the explosion.
Lavkush, a survivor and a resident of Shravasti, described the terrifying moments inside the mill. He said that they were drying paddy when the dryer suddenly exploded. The resulting fire and smoke caused many to collapse. He managed to escape and called nearby villagers for help, who then assisted in evacuating the injured.
The deceased workers were identified as Gaffar Ali, aged 40; Bablu, aged 28; Rajnesh, aged 35 and a resident of Kannauj; Hur, aged 50 from Shravasti; and Bittu Shah, aged 30 from Bihar. The three critically injured — Sukhdev, Devi Prasad, and Surendra Shukla — continue to receive treatment at the medical college’s emergency department.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and conveyed his condolences to the families of the victims. He directed district officials to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care and called for a detailed report on the cause of the explosion. The CM also emphasised the need to examine safety protocols in such industrial establishments to prevent future tragedies.
As investigations proceed, the incident has stirred public concern over the safety standards maintained in rice mills and small-scale industrial units, particularly those handling combustible materials like paddy husk and grain dust.