AMNS Hazira Fire Tragedy: Four Workers Killed in Blast, Families Question Delayed Notification and Lack of Safety Measures
Surat, Gujarat (India), December 31, 2024: Tragedy struck on the last day of the year at the AMNS Hazira steel plant when a blast triggered a fire, resulting in the deaths of four contract workers. Despite the severity of the incident, the families of the victims were not informed of their deaths for several hours, leading to anger and frustration among the relatives.
The incident occurred at the Corex-2 plant, where the victims, identified as Dhaval Patel, Ganesh Patel, Jijyesh Parekh, and Sandeep Patel, were performing their duties. Due to the intensity of the fire, the victims’ bodies were burned beyond recognition, and DNA samples were taken after 17 hours for identification. One of the victims, Ganesh Patel, had been married just six months ago.
Details of the Incident
The blast occurred in the Corex-2 plant, where liquid metal is processed into steel plates. The explosion was caused when a cable line supplying raw materials to the plant ruptured, releasing hot metal and causing the fire. The four workers, who were passing by the area at the time, were caught in the blaze.
The company did not immediately notify the families of the deceased. The relatives only learned about the tragedy after the bodies arrived at the hospital. Despite the company knowing the identities of the victims, there was a delay in informing the families, which led to accusations of negligence.
Family Reactions and Demands for Justice
Family members, who gathered at the hospital, expressed outrage over the lack of communication. Nikita Jignesh Parekh, the sister of one of the victims, stated, “We were given no information. The company knew the names of the victims, so why were we not contacted immediately? We demand justice.”
The families also raised concerns about the safety standards at the plant, questioning how such an incident could occur without proper precautions.
Investigation Underway
Surat’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Vijay Singh Gurjar, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation was underway. He mentioned that the fire was caused by a mechanical fault in the pipeline, and that the bodies had been sent for post-mortem. “After DNA tests, the bodies will be returned to the families. We are also reviewing safety measures at the plant,” Gurjar said.
A case has been registered, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the explosion and whether the plant’s safety protocols were followed.
Victims’ Personal Stories
The victims were all young men, with many responsibilities on their shoulders. One of the deceased, Ganesh Patel, had been married just six months ago and was working as a crane maintenance technician at the plant. Dhaval Patel, another victim, had been working to support his family after completing his ITI training. The third victim, Sandeep Patel, was the only brother in a family of three sisters. The fourth victim, Jijyesh Parekh, had been the primary breadwinner for his family after losing his father in childhood.
The families of the victims are demanding accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident. The tragedy has cast a shadow over the New Year celebrations in Surat, and the local community is calling for stricter safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
