18 dead, many injured as boiler explodes in NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Rae Bareli

At least 18 persons died and around 50 injured after a boiler tube exploded at the National Thermal Power Corporation unit in Unchahar in Rae Bareli district of Uttar Pradesh.

According to U.P. ADGP Anand Kumar, police have recovered 10 bodies so far. The toll could go up, he added.

Around 22 victims with severe burn injuries have been referred to Lucknow, said he said adding, another 15 victims are in Rae Bareli hospital. Some victims were also sent to Allahabad.

“Total number of casualties could go up once the blades of the Boiler are cut. NDRF Team are at site,” Mr. Kumar said.

U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Principal Secretary, Home, to oversee the rescue work and announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh each to the family of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those injured grievously and ₹25,000 for other injuries.