3 dead, 44 injured in explosion at Indian Oil Corporation building in West Bengal

A massive fire broke out at Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) building at Haldia on Tuesday evening. Three people died and 44 were injured in the explosion.

Haldia (West Bengal): A massive fire broke out at the Haldia Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) building at Haldia on Tuesday evening. Three people died and 44 were injured in the explosion. The injured people are admitted to the Haldia Refinery Hospital and critically injured people are referred to Kolkata.

The spokesperson of the oil company gave the statement that the fire at the refinery occurred during the shutdown. The fire has been extinguished and the situation is under control.

The statement further says that Haldia Refinery is undertaking the shutdown and maintenance of various major units. In the MSQ unit, during the shutdown at around 2:50 pm, an incident happened. The primary cause seems to be a flash fire leading to burning injuries to 44 people and 3 people have unfortunately succumbed to the injuries.

The authorities are inquiring about the cause of the incident.

A green corridor has been operationalized with the help of district administration for shifting the injured and critical cases to institutes of higher medical management.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her anguish over the fire incident, "Deeply anguished by the fire in IOC, Haldia. Three precious lives were lost and my thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Those injured are being brought to Kolkata through a green corridor."

(With agency inputs)