Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SB)
Mangalore, May 28: After a day of emergency treatment in a private hospital in city, the injured in the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited blast (ISPRL) at Kalavar Padav in Suratkal here on Thursday May 26 night, Lawrence Pereira (32), a driver from Katipalla, Vikram Das (32), a blasting expert from Assam and Sheikh Abdulla Ghani (31), a safety officer from Madantyar have been shifted to Retina Institute of Karnataka, Bangalore. Another injured Shivanath from Uttar Pradesh is retained at the hospital as there is no danger to his eyes.
Sources from hospital said that severe damage to the body due to injuries have occurred with stone pieces piercing all over body and also damage to the retina due to the dust caused by the haphazard blast Thursday night. Reports also said that the kins of injured have arrived in city.
Earlier speaking to media persons police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said that the ISPRL officials have done a mistake as the matter was brought to the notice of police very late. A criminal case has been registered against ISPRL officials at Bajpe police station and that thorough investigation will be carried out.
ISPRL CEO Visits
ISPRL chief executive officer, Rajan Pillai, who visited the spot on Friday May 27, said he did not have details about the incident, as he could not speak to any of the eye witnesses. ISPRL was the client and a joint venture between SKEC (South Korean Engineering and Constructions) and KCT (Karam Chand Thaper) was implementing the project, Pillai said. Experts from SKEC-KCT were yet to visit the site, he added.
Sources said that the unscientific manner of waste disposal may be the reason for the mishap. However, the authorities concerned are yet to find the actual reason behind the blast.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti also visited the spot. He said a report on ‘facts of incidents’ had been sent to the government.
Three persons - Song (36), an explosives expert from Korea; Sirajuddin (25), a safety supervisor from Katipalla and Sushram Chauhan (40), a labourer from Uttar Pradesh - were killed on Thursday, when experts were trying to diffuse explosives outside the rock cavern being built to store crude oil.