NEW DELHI: At least 10 people were killed and around 40 others injured after a boiler explosion at a power plant in India’s Chhattisgarh state on Tuesday, according to local media reports.
The blast occurred at a plant operated by Vedanta Limited in Singhitarai village in Sakti district, about 228 kilometres northeast of Raipur, the state capital.
Local broadcaster NDTV, citing police, reported that “ten people were killed and over 40 others injured” in the explosion, adding that some workers were feared trapped inside the facility.
Earlier, local officials had reported lower casualty figures. Sakti Superintendent of Police Praful Thakur initially confirmed that several workers had died and more than 20 were injured
He said that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continued.
Sakti, Chhattisgarh: A powerful boiler explosion rocked the Vedanta Limited power plant in Singhitarai village of Sakti district, resulting in the death of four workers and injuries to at least 15 others. According to police and district officials, the blast occurred in a boiler… pic.twitter.com/OFuCbbllo2
— NextMinute News (@nextminutenews7) April 14, 2026
Reports said between 40 and 50 labourers were present at the site when the explosion occurred.
Several of the injured sustained severe burn wounds and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Some were later referred to advanced medical facilities, including hospitals in Raigarh, due to the seriousness of their condition.
Preliminary information suggested the explosion was caused by a boiler tube burst at around 2:00–2:30 pm local time, possibly when workers were on a lunch break.
The sudden blast triggered panic inside the plant, with workers scrambling to escape amid what witnesses described as a stampede-like situation.
Television footage showed thick columns of smoke rising from the facility as emergency teams rushed to the scene.
🚨 BREAKING: Chhattisgarh | Tragic boiler blast at Vedanta Power Plant in Singhi Tarai area, Sakti district.
Sakti District SP Praful Thakur confirms:
9 people have lost their lives and 15 others are injured.The injured have been rushed to a hospital in Raigarh.
Heartfelt… pic.twitter.com/l5ODrtvHDD
— Bharat Briefs (@Bharatbriefshq) April 14, 2026
Police, fire services, and district administration officials launched rescue and relief operations, working to clear debris and search for any workers still trapped.
Senior local officials, including the district collector, reached the site to oversee operations.
Authorities have ordered an inquiry to determine the exact cause of the explosion and assess whether there were lapses in safety protocols.
Chhattisgarh’s Industry and Commerce Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan said instructions had been issued to relevant departments to respond swiftly.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about industrial safety standards in India’s manufacturing and power sectors.
Accidental explosions are reported periodically at industrial facilities, with experts often pointing to gaps in maintenance and enforcement of safety regulations.
