Death toll in BALCO chimney collapse rises to 36
Indian Express
Agencies
Sep 25, 2009
Raipur/Korba The death toll in the chimney collapse at an under-construction power plant of metal major BALCO has risen to 36, even as rescue operations continued for the third day today in Chhattisgarh's Korba district, officials said.
Bodies of 36 labourers have been taken out till now and efforts were on to clear the debris, Korba District Superintendent of Police Ratanlal Dangi said over phone.

Twenty-six bodies were removed on Thursday.

More workers are still feared trapped under the debris, he said, adding it is not known how many of them were engaged in work when the chimney caved in on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, BALCO Chief Executive Officer Gunjan Gupta denied allegations that the company was not cooperating in the rescue operation. "The allegations are baseless," he said.

Gupta said Rs five lakh each would be given to next of the kin of the deceased.

Korba police registered a case under IPC sec 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) against BALCO management and GDCL company, which was entrusted with the responsibility of erecting the chimney. The reasons for the chimney collapse are being investigated.