Bhubaneswar: Several workers are feared trapped after a coal hopper collapsed at a private cement factory in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Thursday.
As per preliminary information, the mishap took place at Dalmia Cement Factory at Rajgangpur in the evening when the coal hopper suddenly collapsed during stocking process.
Around a dozen workers, including some women, were reportedly working at the site when the mishap took place. The workers got trapped beneath huge volume of coal.
After being informed by the factory authorities, a rescue team with earthmovers and other heavy equipment rushed to the spot and launched an operation to rescue the trapped workers. A police team also reached the spot and assisted in the rescue operation. Ambulances were also kept ready at the plant for any emergency operation.
A large number of workers gathered at the main gate of the factory and held the authorities responsible for the mishap. They claimed the authorities had been urged to assess the condition and structural status of the coal hopper but no step was taken.
Senior factory officials were not immediately available for comment on the incident.
