U P D A T E

2 'skeletons' found, team begins probe

Mohali, June 12
Two persons were charred to death and 25 others injured, three of them seriously, in a major fire in the pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy's plant here last night.

Rescue teams recovered two "skeletons" from the spot this morning, police said today.

Doctors said three of the injured were in critical condition.

According to a factory spokesman, a team comprising the Labour Commissioner, the Deputy Director, the Additional Director and the Joint Director of Industries was investigating the incident.

A series of explosions ripped through the production unit of the plant at 2235 hours setting off the fire. Nearly 150 people were on night shift in the factory when the mishap took place.

Twenty fire tenders from Ludhiana, Ropar, Chandigarh and other nearby areas were pressed into service to control the blaze, which was put out shortly after midnight.

K.V. Karanjakear, Medical Director of Fortis Hospital, meanwhile, told PTI that "at present, there are 19 patients admitted to Fortis, out of which condition of three is critical. One of them has been put on ventilator. Others have sustained burn injuries ranging between 45 to 75 per cent." PTI