The death toll from the explosion at Oil India Limited’s Intermediate Tank Farm in Tengakhat, Assam, has risen to four after an injured worker died during treatment, while an internal inquiry and disciplinary action have been initiated into the incident.
Sailen Gogoi, a 45-year-old resident of Tengakhat, succumbed to his injuries after being among seven workers hurt in the explosion on November 6. The blast occurred at about 9.05 am while maintenance work was being carried out at the facility.
According to Oil India’s preliminary assessment, the explosion took place in the Indirect Bath Heater area of the tank farm. The area had reportedly been isolated for maintenance since November 4. The company has said that the exact cause of the explosion has not yet been established.
Raju Dutta, 45, died at the site. Tapas Gogoi, 40, from Milan Nagar in Dibrugarh, died at a private hospital in Dibrugarh, while Rupam Gohain, 47, from Chabua, died at a private hospital in Guwahati. The workers who were injured were initially taken to Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh and Oil India Hospital in Duliajan. Those requiring specialised treatment were later moved to private hospitals.
All the workers were employed by Mumbai-based Spectron Engineers Private Limited, an Oil India contractor. The incident therefore involves not only the operation of an oil facility but also the safety arrangements governing maintenance work carried out by contract labour at a high-risk industrial site.
Oil India has announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker and Rs 5 lakh for every injured worker. The company has also suspended four personnel—three officers and one employee—for alleged dereliction of duty and begun disciplinary proceedings.
Union minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited injured workers at a private hospital in Dibrugarh on Saturday. Oil India has formed an internal inquiry committee to examine the incident and recommend preventive measures. The committee’s findings are expected to address the circumstances surrounding the maintenance activity, the operation of the isolated equipment and the safety protocols followed at the tank farm.
