Three killed in Dhamra Port accident in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Aug 16: At least three laborers were killed and three injured on Tuesday when a heap of coal collapsed on them at Adani Group-managed Dhamra Port in Odisha's Bhadrak district.

Following the deaths, irate people heckled Dhamra Port Chief Executive Officer Subrat Tripathy when he went to see the injured at the hospital located within the port premises. They also torched the main gate and ransacked the office.

"An unfortunate incident occurred on Tuesday at the coal stacking yard in the Dharma Port claiming lives of three labourers and injuring three others. All of them were immediately taken to the nearby Bhadrak Hospital for treatment," said a statement from the Dhamra Port Company Ltd (DPCL).

Three labourers were declared dead at the hospital while others were undergoing treatment there.

The accident took place when the labourers were stacking coal in the yard, it added.

"We at Adani would like to reiterate that we follow the highest and strictest standards of health and safety. The safety of our thousands of employees and contractual labourers is Adani's top-most priority and we have a well-planned safety training programme for our employees and those of contractors as well," said the statement.

"We will investigate this matter fully and find out the exact reason of this unfortunate accident. We are fully cooperating with the authorities too," it added.