Bhubaneswar, Jan 6 (IANS): At least four contractual labourers working in Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) died and a few others fell ill after inhaling a toxic gas leaked from a coal chemical department on Wednesday.

Confirming the deaths, President of the Rourkela Ispat Karkhana Karmachari Sangh (RIKKS) Himanshu Sekhar Bal demanded adequate compensation to the families of the deceased.

The four contractual workers were engaged by private company Star Constructions.

The incident took place in the morning when a total of 10 workers were on duty at the unit, said sources.

The four were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Ispat General Hospital (IGH).

The deceased were identified as Ganesh Chandra Paila (55), Rabindra Sahu (59), Abhimanyu Sah (33) and Bramhananda Panda (51).

Meanwhile, a high-level committee has been formed to inquire into the cause of the mishap. The plant is functioning normally, informed official sources.