‘Explosion occurred in spray dryer machine’

Our Correspondent
Dera Bassi, August 25

While the exact cause of Saturday’s explosion at a pharmaceutical firm in Saidpura village, Dera Bassi, was yet to be ascertained, production In charge of the unit said the blast occurred in a spray dryer machine and reactor did not explode. He said the explosion happened during cleaning of spray dryer’s filter.

Whether the explosion took place to due to high pressure, static charge or fire flash, is yet to be ascertained, he said. 

Of the four victims who were admitted to the GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, the condition of one was critical as he received over 70 per cent burns.

Besides, three victims, who were admitted to the Dera Bassi Civil Hospital, have been discharged and of nine, who were admitted to JP Hospital, Zirakpur, six have been discharged.

 Dera Bassi SDM Pooja Siyal has directed the plant head to immediately cease operations of the unit. “Once we finalise the report, it will be submitted to authorities for further action,” she said. 

Mohali Deputy Commissioner Girish Dayalan has marked an inquiry into the incident.

Workers who were on duty when the incident took place in production block-oral G unit of Nector LifeSciences Limited said the explosion was deafening and the victims fell several metres away.

The blast was so powerful that window panes of an adjacent unit got shattered and parts of metal pieces  got scattered in an area of 100 metres.

Aftermath

• The blast was so powerful that window panes of an adjacent unit got shattered and parts of metal got scattered in an area of 100 metres

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