One dead, two injured in blast at Indian Oil Corporation refinery

Chennai: A 48-year-old welder died while his co-workers suffered injuries after an ethanol gas tank exploded in the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) refinery in RK Nagar on Wednesday.

The deceased has been identified as G Perumal of Parameshwarar Nagar in Tondiarpet. Two others Saravanan and Dilli Babu, 52, who suffered burn injuries were admitted to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.

According to police, there were two ethanol tanks in the refinery.

Perumal, who has 20 years of experience in welding work, was roped in to weld a 50,000 litre capacity ethanol tank. Saravanan suffered 40% burns and Dilli, an electrician, sustained injuries on his face and eyes.

Police said Perumal is survived by his wife Sasi, son Prakash, 22, and daughter Logeshwari, 20.

Following the accident, five fire tenders from nearby stations were pressed into service. The firefighting unit within IOC sprayed chemicals and doused the flames.

A Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services officer said, “We sent the vehicles immediately and contained the fire within half an hour.” At least 60 TNFRS personnel apart from IOC firemen were engaged in the firefighting operation.

Tondiarpet police have registered a case while IOC officials have ordered an internal inquiry into the accident.