Three workers killed, five injured in boiler blast at sugar factory in Belagavi

Belagavi, :At least three workers were killed and five others sustained serious injuries following a boiler blast at a sugar factory in Karnataka’s Belagavi district on Tuesday afternoon. The tragic industrial accident occurred at the Inamdar Sugar Factory located at Marakumbi village in Bailhongal taluk, triggering panic in the area and raising serious concerns over workplace safety.

The deceased workers have been identified as Akshaya Topade (45), Deepak Munavalli (31), and Sudarshan Banoshi (25). All three died on the spot due to severe burn injuries sustained in the explosion. According to initial reports, the blast occurred while repair work was underway in the factory’s No. 1 boiler compartment.

Eyewitnesses said the boiler suddenly exploded during wall repair operations, releasing scalding hot material that engulfed workers standing nearby. Eight workers were reportedly hit by the hot slurry and debris, leaving several with critical burn injuries. Five of the injured were found to be in serious condition.

Emergency response teams rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Due to the severity of the injuries, the victims were shifted under zero-traffic arrangements from Bailhongal to private hospitals in Belagavi for advanced treatment. One injured worker was initially taken to the Bailhongal hospital, while the remaining were shifted to Belagavi as their condition worsened.

Belagavi Superintendent of Police K. Ramarajan visited the hospital and the accident site to assess the situation and gather details. Speaking to the media, the SP said the incident occurred around 2 pm and confirmed that eight workers were injured after hot boiler material spilled onto them. He added that the police would conduct a detailed investigation based on the complaint to ascertain the exact cause of the blast and to check whether safety norms were violated.

The factory is reportedly owned by Vikram Inamdar, and operations at the unit have been temporarily halted following the incident. Officials from the labour department and factory inspection authorities are also expected to visit the site to conduct an independent inquiry.

The incident has sparked outrage among workers’ unions and locals, who have demanded strict action against those responsible and compensation for the victims’ families. The boiler blast once again highlights the need for stringent safety measures and regular inspections in industrial units to prevent such fatal accidents.