Second Accident in a Month at ArcelorMittal Hazira Plant: One Dead, One Critical
Arcelor Mittal Hazira Hit by Another Tragic Incident: Lift Malfunction Kills One Worker
Surat, Hazira: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AMNS) Hazira has been struck by yet another accident at its steel plant. A lift malfunction occurred at Plant No. 1 in the HBI Model No. 4 area, resulting in the tragic death of the lift operator and the serious injury of a trainee engineer. Both workers were rushed to Surat’s Ashutosh Hospital, where the lift operator was later transferred to a hospital in Mumbai. Unfortunately, despite efforts, the lift operator succumbed to his injuries. The trainee engineer remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment in the ICU.
This accident raises questions about the safety practices at AMNS Hazira, as it follows the devastating explosion and fire at the same plant just a month ago, which claimed the lives of four workers.
Lift Incident Details:
On Saturday afternoon, at approximately 3:00 PM, the lift at Plant No. 1 malfunctioned. The lift operator, Mahesh Kumar, suffered a brain hemorrhage and was airlifted to Mumbai for urgent medical care, where he later passed away. The trainee engineer, Jatin Kumar Kushwaha, is currently in the ICU at Ashutosh Hospital in Surat. The incident was reported to the police in the evening, several hours after the accident occurred, raising concerns about the company’s delayed response.
Delayed Reporting:
The incident was reported to the police and factory inspectorate with significant delays, raising questions about the company’s internal protocols. This mirrors the previous explosion and fire on December 31st, where four workers tragically lost their lives. In both incidents, there were delays in notifying authorities, raising concerns about AMNS’s transparency and accountability.
Fire Incident on December 31:
On December 31, 2024, a devastating explosion and fire broke out at the Corex-2 plant at AMNS Hazira. The fire spread to the lift, where four employees were trapped and fatally burned. One other worker was injured and was transported for treatment. The investigation into this incident is still ongoing, with claims that the company delayed reporting the incident to authorities.
Investigation and Accountability:
Following the recent accidents, the district collector has appointed a committee under the leadership of the Olpad Taluka Officer to investigate the incidents. The Industrial Safety and Health Department is also conducting a detailed investigation. However, the inquiry is progressing slowly, and no significant action has been taken against the company as of yet.
Questions continue to arise about the safety measures at the AMNS Hazira plant, as this marks the second major accident in just one month. Despite the severity of the incidents, no immediate steps have been taken by the company to address these ongoing safety concerns.
Further Investigation Needed:
Authorities and workers’ representatives have called for a thorough investigation into the safety practices at AMNS Hazira and demand that the company be held accountable for the repeated incidents. With public pressure mounting, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken to prevent future accidents at the plant.
