At least 12 labourers lost their life after a wall collapsed in a salt packaging factory at the Halvad-Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) in Gujarat's Morbi district. Further, six injured labourers have been sent for treatment.
State labour and employment minister and MLA Brijesh Merja said that the incident occurred at the Sagar Salt factory, situated inside the Halvad industrial area. The factory processed and packaged salt.
The prime minister's office has announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000.
PM Modi, on Twitter, expressed his grief and said: "The tragedy in Morbi caused by a wall collapse is heart-rending... Local authorities are providing all possible assistance to the affected."
Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced Rs 4 Lakh ex gratia for the of kin of those who died in the incident. He has also instructed the Morbi District Collectors and system operators to immediately carry out rescue and relief operations.
How Did the Accident Happen?
MLA Merja added that 90 percent of the rescue operation has been completed, but it is not yet clear what caused the wall collapse. The police will carry out the investigation.
Sources from the factory said that workers died after bags of salt stacked along the wall fell on them and they got trapped.
- 01/02
Sources from the factory said that workers died after bags of salt stacked along the wall fell on them and they got trapped.
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
- 02/02
Sources from the factory said that workers died after bags of salt stacked along the wall fell on them and they got trapped.
(Photo: Accessed by The Quint)
Morbi District Collector JB Patel and District Superintendent of Police Rahul Tripathi along with their team rushed to the accident site and closely supervised the rescue operations, reported IANS.
The district administration pressed in JCB machines to remove salt bags, hard rock salt, and wall debris.
SP Tripathi said once the rescue operation is concluded and the area is completely cleared, FSL team with local police will investigate the incident. If factory management is found guilty for any negligence, a case can be registered against them too.
(With inputs from IANS.)
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