Chhattisgarh Vedanta plant blast: Death toll rises to 20, 16 workers under treatment

The death toll in the explosion at Vedanta’s power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district has risen to 20 , officials confirmed on Wednesday, after seven more injured workers succumbed to severe burn injuries . Sixteen others remain under treatment in hospitals in Raipur and Raigarh.

The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Singhitarai village plant when a high pressure steam pipe connected to the boiler and turbine system reportedly burst, triggering a powerful explosion that engulfed workers on site. Four workers died on the spot, while several others later succumbed to injuries, pushing the toll to 20.

Officials said a total of 36 workers were affected in the blast. The deceased include labourers from West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh , reflecting the multi-state workforce employed at the facility.

Sakti Collector Amrit Vikas Topno said medical teams are working continuously to ensure proper treatment for the injured. Of the 16 survivors, five are undergoing treatment in Raipur, while the rest are admitted in hospitals in Raigarh.

Authorities have initiated the process of identifying the deceased and contacting their families. Arrangements are being made to transport the mortal remains to their native villages after postmortem, along with immediate financial assistance .

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced compensation of ₹5 lakh for each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for the injured , while Vedanta Power announced a compensation package of ₹35 lakh per deceased , along with employment support for families, ₹15 lakh for injured workers, salary continuation during recovery, and counselling support.

The state government has ordered a divisional-level inquiry and a separate magisterial probe, while Vedanta has launched an internal investigation to determine whether the blast was caused by technical failure or human error .