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The Odisha Labour minister Bijayshree Routray today said five foreign nationals are missing from the day of the blast at Bhushan Steel Ltd's (BSL) plant located at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district.
The foreign nationals engaged as engineers--three from China and two from Thailand--are missing from Wednesday. The foreign nationals were present during the blast at the plant site.
“Even though we are yet to confirm the death toll, five foreign engineers are missing, their whereabouts are unknown,” said Routray.
The mishap took place while commissioning of the blast furnace-2 at the company's plant that left one dead and few others injured.
"The district collector and superintendent of police have been asked to get the details from the contractors on the actual number of labourers who went inside the factory on the particular day and the muster rolls”, said the state labour minister.
Doubts still persist over the exact number of casualties though the government officials have confirmed the death of one person only.
Meanwhile, an expert team from the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) is inspecting the Blast furnace-1 and 2 and to find out the reasons of the blast. The team will also report the lacunae, if any, in the blast furnace-1.
Recurring mishaps at BSL's steel plant had raised questions on the safety measures taken up by the company.
Routray had admitted that his department has failed to take action against the company in spite of the rising number of accidents in the plant premises.
On Thursday, three top company officials namely Atulya Kumar Verma, chief operating officer, Naveen Tyagi, shift- in-charge and Meghpal Singh, president, steel making were arrested.
