Odisha: Five killed, several injured as coal heap caves in at DPCL campus in Bhadrak, labourers go on rampage

Five labourers were killed and several others injured after a coal heap caved in at Dhamra Port Company Ltd (DPCL) premises leading on Tuesday morning.

The death of the five labourers led to violence and arson at the port campus.

Locals believe more labourers than the estimated numbers given by the port authorities are believed to be trapped under the mound of coal.

“We have recovered three bodies and three have been rescued in critical condition,” a DPCL official said.

According to eyewitnesses accounts, around 12 PM labourers were engaged in covering the heap of coal at the port’s coal stockyard siting a rain forecast when the heap caved in.

Irate labourers soon after the incident went on a rampage and set several vehicles on fire and other locations including the main gate of the port. 

The agitated labourers have torched three offices, an oil tanker and several other vehicles parked in DPCL campus.

According to police the the irate labourers attacked chief executive officer Subrat Tripathy and five other officials of the DPCL.

Odisha Police on learning the rampage pumped in security forces to control the irate mob. Till the report was filed the security forces had yet not taken control of the situation as they were outnumbered by the labourers.

GR Das, Bhadrak district collector told the media, “A probe has been initiated on the incident.”