Two die in boiler explosion at refrigerator factory

Another worker injured; accident result of gas leakage

Muhammad Shahzad November 13, 2016

Bodies of the deceased have been sent to Allied Hospital for autopsy examination. Sub Inspector Muhammad Akram said Yaqoob had been arrested and raids were being conducted to arrest his partners. Yaqoob told police that the boiler had exploded accidentally. PHOTO: ONLINE

LAHORE: Two workers died and another was injured when a boiler exploded in a factory in Raiwind, Lahore on Sunday.

According to police and rescue officials, the men were working at a factory of electronic appliances in Jiya Bhaga area when a boiler there exploded. Subsequently, roof of the structure caved in. Initial investigation suggests the boiler exploded due to gas leakage. Labourers were stranded when the roof caved in. Workers of the factories nearby ran for rescue and also called the emergency service and police for help.

The deceased workers were identified as Naveed Abdul Rasheed, a resident of Peshawar, and Naveed Ahmad, a local. The injured was taken to a hospital nearby where he was stated to be in a stable condition.

Provincial Minister for Labour and Human Resource Raja Ashfaq Sarwar announced financial assistance of Rs900,000 each to for the heirs of the two victims. Out of the amount, Rs400,000 would be given as compensation money by the owners of the factory, whereas Rs500,000 would be given by Punjab Workers Welfare Board as permissible in the rules.

This is the second such accident in a week in Lahore where workers lost their lives. Two days ago, a fire in garment factory in Shafiqabad burnt three labourers alive. Such recurring incidents expose poor and unsafe working conditions and negligence of the labour department.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2016.