AMNS (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India) Hazira Fire Tragedy: Four Workers Dead, Families Raise Allegations Over Delayed Notification and Safety Lapses
Surat, December 31, 2024: A tragic fire broke out at the AMNS (ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India) plant in Hazira just before New Year’s Eve, resulting in the death of four workers. The incident occurred around 6:00 PM on December 31, 2024, but the families of the victims claim that they were only informed of the tragedy hours later. The victims’ relatives have raised serious allegations, questioning why they were not notified immediately when the company already knew the names of the deceased.
The victims, identified as Dhaval Patel, Ganesh Patel, Jijyesh Parekh, and Sandeep Patel, were working at the company’s Corex-2 plant when the fire broke out. In addition to the fatalities, one worker was critically injured and is currently receiving treatment. The victims’ bodies were so badly burned that it was impossible to identify them immediately. DNA tests are expected to be required for proper identification.
Despite the fire occurring in the evening, it was reported that the families did not receive any information until several hours later when the bodies were brought to the hospital. The victims’ families gathered at the hospital, expressing their frustration and anger. One family member of the deceased, Nikita Jignesh Parekh, stated, “The company knew the names of the victims, but why didn’t they contact us sooner? We demand justice. If they had information, they should have shared it with us immediately.”
Investigation and Police Response
The police were informed about the incident around 7:30 PM, roughly an hour after the fire occurred. The fire was triggered by a mechanical fault, specifically in a pipeline that transports raw materials in the Corex-2 plant. The blast resulted in the workers being severely burned. The incident took place while the workers were passing by, and they were caught by the hot material from the pipeline.
The families of the deceased demanded an investigation into the incident and answers from the company. There were also concerns raised about the safety standards at the plant. Police officials and senior officers were dispatched to the hospital to handle the situation, and they attempted to calm the family members who had gathered in large numbers.
Further Actions
Surat’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Vijay Singh Gurjar confirmed the incident and mentioned that an investigation is underway. He said, “The temperature of the raw material in the pipeline was high, which led to the explosion. Four workers lost their lives, and their bodies have been sent for post-mortem. After the DNA tests, the bodies will be returned to the families.” He assured that safety-related measures would also be reviewed, and action would be taken based on the findings.
As of now, a case has been registered, and further investigations are being carried out to determine whether the fire was caused by a mechanical fault or other issues at the plant.
