Four Workers Killed in Surat AMNS Plant Blast: DNA Tests Done, District Collector Orders Probe
Surat, 3rd January 2025: The district collector of Surat has ordered a probe into the deadly explosion at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AMNS) plant in Hazira, Surat. The incident, which occurred on the evening of December 31, 2024, claimed the lives of four workers. The bodies were so badly burned that identification was impossible, prompting DNA tests to confirm their identities. The investigation will focus on how the explosion occurred and whether proper safety measures were followed at the plant.
DNA Samples Collected for Identification
The bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families based on preliminary DNA test results. According to Surat Civil Hospital’s RMO, Dr. Ketan Nayak, DNA samples were collected from the families of the victims. The deceased included Jigish Parekh, Dhaval Patel, Sandeep Patel, and Ganesh Budh. The DNA reports confirmed the identities, and the bodies were returned to their families late at night on January 2nd. The family members then left the civil hospital early in the morning on January 3rd.
Support from Civil Hospital Staff
For three days, the families of the deceased stayed at the hospital, grieving. Despite their distress, no company officials visited the hospital. However, Dr. Ketan Nayak and Dr. Lakshman from the civil hospital provided emotional support and ensured that the families were well taken care of. They also arranged for meals and an ambulance for transporting the body of the deceased from Mahuva.
District Collector Orders Inquiry into the Incident
Following the tragic incident, Surat District Collector Dr. Saurabh Pardhi has instructed the Olpad taluka officer to conduct a thorough investigation and submit a report. The probe will focus on the safety protocols followed by AMNS and the cause of the explosion. The Olpad Taluka Officer, Parth Talsaniya, along with his team, will investigate the Corus-2 plant, where the incident occurred. The collector has asked for a report within two days.
Further Action Based on Investigation Report
Once the inquiry is completed, the report will be submitted to the Surat District Collector. Based on the findings, a decision will be made on whether to form a committee for further investigation and what actions to take against the company.
What Happened in the Incident?
On the last day of 2024, a horrific explosion occurred at the Corus-2 plant of ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel in Hazira, Surat, resulting in the deaths of four workers. The bodies of the victims were severely charred, making identification nearly impossible. The families of the deceased expressed their anger at the lack of accountability from the company, while officials took steps to carry out DNA tests for confirmation.
The investigation will look into whether the company followed the necessary safety protocols and what actions were taken to address the incident. Further legal and administrative steps will depend on the investigation’s outcome.
