Click to play videoNew Delhi: Two persons were killed and 28 others injured in a factory blast in Gokak town of Karnataka late on Friday. The condition of all the injured are said to be critical.
The toll is likely to go up as many of the injured have suffered 90 per cent burns. All the victims are employees of Ridhi-Sidhi Gluco Boils Factory, a starch-manufacturing unit.
According to reports received here, one person died on the spot. Belgaum Superintendent of Police Hemant Nimbalkar, however, said no deaths have been reported so far. He said the condition of the injured is critical.
Sources said a short-circuit may have triggered the blast, a view shared by Gokak Deputy Superintendent of Police Janwad.
Thirty persons were evacuated from the unit soon after the blast. Most of them were immediately shifted to KLE Hospital, Belgaum. According to hospital officials, senior doctors were attending to the injured. Dr Rajesh Powar, renowned plastic surgeon who was attending to the patients, said the condition of 27 of the injured was critical.
Fire-fighters were still trying to put out the flames. The factory makes 250 tonnes of starch a day.
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