Four injured in explosion at steel plant in Chhattisgarh, One Critical

October 24, 2025

Raigarh: Four workers suffered burns in an explosion in the furnace section of the NRVS Steel Plant located in Taraimal, under the Punjipathra police station area in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district on Friday.

One of the workers remains in critical condition and has been referred to a hospital in Raipur, police officials said. The incident triggered panic inside the plant and caused a stampede-like situation in the surrounding area.

Immediately after the explosion, the plant management launched rescue and relief operations. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors provided them with first aid.

The condition of the other three workers—two locals and one from Bihar—is reported to be stable.

A worker identified as Ramnarayan Yadav (35), a resident of Azamgarh district in Uttar Pradesh, is in critical condition. He was working near the furnace when the explosion occurred, said police sources.

Yadav suffered burns covering more than 60 per cent of his face and upper body. Doctors have referred him to Bilaspur or Raipur Medical College for advanced treatment.

Explosion During Furnace Operation

According to preliminary information, the explosion occurred around 7 a.m. while work was underway on molten metal in the furnace. Initial investigations suggest that the blast was caused by a sudden increase in pressure inside the furnace.

The loud explosion sent thick black smoke billowing across the area, with flames visible from a distance. Plant employees and nearby villagers fled in panic.

Investigation and Safety Measures

Police from Punjipathra Police Station have reached the scene and launched an investigation. A forensic team has been called in to determine the exact cause of the explosion.

The district administration has temporarily suspended plant operations and announced the formation of a high-level inquiry committee. Labour unions have expressed grief over the accident and demanded a comprehensive safety audit of the steel plant.

Raigarh district, known as an industrial hub with several steel units, has witnessed minor industrial accidents in recent years, but such a major explosion is rare. In May 2025, a similar furnace blast at another iron and steel plant injured four workers.