All 3 Injured Workers Die After SAIL Bokaro Steel Plant Tragedy

Bokaro: All three workers injured in the tragic accident at Steel Authority of India Limited’s (SAIL) Bokaro Steel Plant on September 28 have succumbed to their injuries, despite weeks of intensive medical care.

The latest victim, 41-year-old Praveen Kumar Lahiri, breathed his last while undergoing treatment in Kolkata after battling burn-related complications. Earlier, 27-year-old Brijesh Mahatha died on October 3, and Om Prakash, who had suffered over 65 percent burns, passed away on October 7.

The Tragic Incident at SAIL, BSL

The horrific mishap took place at Steel Melting Shop-2 (SMS-2) around 3 pm on September 28 when a crane rope snapped, spilling a ladle of molten metal and sparking a massive fire inside the unit. Firefighters fought for hours to bring the blaze under control.

All three victims — Brijesh, Praveen, and Om Prakash — were contract workers employed under M/s Bhushan Engineering. They sustained grievous burn injuries; Brijesh suffered 90% burns, Praveen around 60%, and Om Prakash about 35%.

Initially, the trio was rushed to Bokaro General Hospital (BGH), where doctors described Brijesh’s condition as critical while the other two appeared stable. However, their conditions worsened over time, proving fatal one after another.

Praveen’s Final Struggle

Praveen’s family members said he initially seemed stable, walking and eating normally at BGH before being referred to Kolkata after Om Prakash’s demise. However, his health took a sudden turn on Wednesday when he developed a severe lung infection.

Placed on a ventilator after his blood pressure dropped, Praveen fought for life until Thursday afternoon when his heart stopped. Despite doctors’ best efforts, he could not be revived.

A resident of Jena Mod, Praveen is survived by his mother, wife, and two young sons aged 13 and 8. The BSL management has announced that his wife will be offered employment on compassionate grounds. After post-mortem in Kolkata, his body will be brought back to Bokaro for the last rites at the Damodar River in Phusro.

Lives Lost, Lessons Unlearned

Brijesh, the youngest among the victims, had been married just two years ago and leaves behind a six-month-old daughter. Senior SAIL officials, including Alok Verma, Director In-charge of Rourkela Steel Plant (also holding additional charge of Bokaro), closely monitored their treatment. Dr. Uday, Chief Medical Officer and Head of the Burn Ward at Bhilai Steel Plant, was specially called to Bokaro to assist with the medical response.

Despite every possible effort, the three workers — grievously burned by molten metal — could not be saved. The incident has once again raised questions about industrial safety protocols and contract workers’ protection in one of India’s largest steel plants.