Deadly Explosion in Chennai Goldsmith Unit Claims One Life, Injures Six
A devastating blast at a goldsmith unit in Chennai's Elephant Gate area on Wednesday has resulted in one fatality and six injuries, shedding light on the perilous conditions within the bustling jewellery-making industry. The explosion, triggered by a hand-held gas torch, occurred due to an undetected gas leak in a poorly ventilated workspace, causing the roof of the building to collapse.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The incident took place on the fourth floor of a building on Singannan Street, where a gold melting unit operated in a cramped 10ft by 20ft room. The unit owner, identified as Suman alias Biswajit, 32, from Howrah in West Bengal, was killed in the blast. Six of his employees sustained injuries, with three in critical condition at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.
According to officials, the building housed approximately 30 such tiny rooms, accommodating nearly 120 workers. The workspace was part of a multi-use setup, with one room for living, another for cooking, and the third for melting gold using hand-held gadgets. The lack of basic safety measures and ventilation contributed to the disaster.
Eyewitness Account and Injuries
Gana Satish, a local resident, described seeing the injured owner running with severe head injuries. "He suffered burns and his skin was exposed. We rushed him to the hospital in an autorickshaw. He lifted his hand, pointing towards the building 100 metres away, asking us to save the workers," Satish recounted.
The injured workers include:
- Aravind, 27, with 90% burns
- Suraj, 23, with 76% burns
- Srimanta, 48, with 68% burns
- Ananda Khetrapal, 36, with 19% burns
- Rakesh, 26, with 32% burns
Their conditions remain critical, underscoring the severity of the blast.
Investigation Findings and Industry Concerns
An investigation officer revealed that the workers failed to detect the gas leak from an LPG cylinder, which filled the unventilated room. When a worker ignited a hand-held gas torch, it sparked the explosion. This incident has exposed the hazardous nature of over 1,000 similar units in Elephant Gate, which operate in tiny, unsafe environments without proper ventilation or safety protocols.
The blast has prompted calls for stricter regulations and improved safety standards in the jewellery-making sector to prevent such tragedies in the future.
