Amidst a clarification of the Bhushan Steels limited (BSl) that no foreigner was killed or injured in the Wednesday blast in its 3-MTPA plant in Dhenkanal district, adding strength to its veracity, the district SP Monoranjan Mohanty on Sunday confirmed that no foreigners who were employed in the plant during the commissioning of the Blast Furnace-II went missing.
It may be noted here that State labour Minister Bijayshree Routray on Saturday had said at least five foreign engineers were missing from the Bhushan plant since the mishap. Routray had said that the five foreigners included three Chinese and two Thai nationals. At the same time, the Minister has assured of a probe and ascertaining of the fact pertaining to the missing of the foreigners by the district SP. The Minister's assertions had further fuelled suspicions about the plant, suppressing the facts regarding the exact number of persons present on the site during the accident. However, the SP's confirmation has given a breather to the plant authorities.
As per the information provided by SP Mohanty, out of the total 74 foreigners at Bhushan, 65 are present. The rest nine have returned back to their country on November 14, he said.
Similarly, he said out of the allegedly 17 missing workers, 15 are present and of the rest two, one is in police custody, while another has returned back to his native village.
The SP further clarified that no body was recovered yet from the accident site. Along with an expert team, the Director, Factory and Boiler is conducting an investigation in detail about the cause of the accident. He also reviewed the condition of the Blast Furnace -1.
Meanwhile, thousands of workers, engaged in the plant have fled from the worksite out of fear. Various political parties, except BJD and Congress, have intensified their agitation against the company, demanding stringent action against the plant bosses. At the same time, the operation of the Blast Furnace -1 has been completely stopped as per a Government order.
Further, some experts have cautioned that if immediate suitable action is not taken to release molten metal from the blast furnace-II, it could lead to carbon monoxide emission and cause harm in the vicinity. Notably, the BSl plant in Merhamandali area is located close to many human settlements. Besides, it is adjacent to the crowded NH-55.
Meanwhile, 42 foreigner engineers, who worked in the Blast Furnace-II, left the plant on Sunday. They were shifted from the plant site to Bhubaneswar in the presence of police and administration.