The death toll from a boiler explosion at a power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti rose to 14, with 20 injured, police said on Wednesday.
Police superintendent Prafull Thakur confirmed the toll, stating that five of the injured have been shifted to Raipur for advanced treatment, while the remaining are being treated at hospitals in the Raigarh district.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the kin of each of those killed and ₹50,000 for those injured.
He ordered an inquiry into the incident and said strict action would be taken against those found responsible.
The state government is ensuring proper and free medical treatment for all injured, he said.
A magisterial probe has been ordered by the district administration into the incident.
According to officials, the explosion at the Vedanta power plant was likely triggered by a leak in the high-pressure steam tube connected to the boiler.
Vedanta said the explosion occurred at one of the boiler units at its Singhitarai plant, involving personnel of its sub-contractor, NTPC GE Power Services Limited.
The company stated that its immediate priority is to provide the best possible medical assistance to the affected workers and that it is coordinating closely with medical teams and local authorities.
