Tragic Explosion at Oil India Facility Claims Three Lives in Dibrugarh
Explosion at Oil India Facility
Firefighters at the explosion site in Tengakhat, Dibrugarh on Friday (Image)
Dibrugarh, Nov 7: The tragic explosion and subsequent fire at the Intermediate Tank Farm (ITF) of Oil India Limited (OIL) in Tengakhat, Assam, has resulted in a total of three fatalities as of Saturday, following the death of two additional workers from their injuries.
The victims have been identified as Tapas Jyoti Gogoi and Rupam Gohain, with the first casualty being Raju Dutta, who passed away on Friday.
Gogoi, who suffered severe burns covering approximately 70% of his body, succumbed to his injuries early Saturday morning, as confirmed by his elder brother.
According to medical reports, his death was attributed to cardiorespiratory failure due to the extensive burns. Gogoi had dedicated around 13 years to his role at the facility and leaves behind his wife, daughter, and parents.
He was among the workers injured during the explosion that took place while maintenance activities were ongoing at OIL’s Intermediate Tank Farm.
Kamal Phukan, the area manager for Spectron Engineering Services Private Limited, which oversees the workers, reported that three to four injured individuals are still receiving advanced medical care, with one or two in critical condition.
"We are prepared to transfer them to specialized facilities outside the district or state if necessary, to ensure they receive optimal care. Compensation will also be provided to the affected workers," Phukan stated.
The injured were initially transported to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh before being moved to a private hospital for further treatment.
At the time of the explosion, nine workers were present at the site. The precise cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage to the oil storage facility remain undetermined.
This incident has raised significant concerns regarding safety measures and emergency protocols at OIL facilities. Questions have been raised about potential safety oversights, although the exact cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
The tragedy has sparked strong reactions from local organizations, including the All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union, which has criticized the company for its safety measures and alleged negligence in safeguarding its employees and nearby residents.
As maintenance work was ongoing at the Tengakhat facility, further information regarding the explosion's cause and the damage incurred is awaited.