Belagavi Sugar Factory Explosion: Four More Succumb To Burns, Toll Rises To Seven; One In ICU

Belagavi: Four more workers injured in the boiler accident at Inamdar Sugar Factory in Bailhongal taluk of Karnataka's Belagavi district died on Thursday, taking the death toll to seven.

The explosion occurred at around 2 pm on Wednesday while repairing a wall in compartment number 1 of the factory. Eight workers were seriously injured when hot material from the boiler fell on them and all were admitted to KLE Hospital and Bailhongal Government Hospital.

Three workers, Deepak Munavalli (31) of Nesaragi village in Bailhongal taluk, Sudarshan Banoshi (25) of Chikkamunavalli village in Khanapur taluk, and Akshay Subhash Chopade (48) of Rabakavi-Banahatti in Bagalkot district, died yesterday.

On Thursday, four of the injured, Bharat Basappa Sarawadi (27) of Godachinamalki village in Gokak taluk, Manjunath Madivalappa Kajagar (28) of Aravalli village in Bailhongal taluk, Gurunath Bheerappa Tamannavara (38) of Mareguddi village in Bagalkot, and Manjunath Gopal Teradala (31) of Hoolikatti in Athani taluk, passed away during treatment. Raghavendra Mallappa Giriyal (36) of Gilihosur village in Gokak taluk is currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Vishwanath, brother of deceased worker Manjunath Teradala from Hoolikatti, said, "We are shocked. Our brother was working as a mechanical engineer for two years. The factory did not inform us about the incident. We rushed to the hospital after seeing the news. His wife is due to give birth in three days. She has come to know about the incident but we have not informed her about the death. We will not accept the body till the factory announces a lump-sum compensation."

Family members and friends of deceased worker Manjunath expressed their anger against the factory management in front of the morgue. They raised slogans demanding justice. The factory management should come to the spot and announce compensation, they said.