The Hindu : Front Page : Steel tank explodes killing 3 youths

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Friday, Jul 10, 2009
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Steel tank explodes killing 3 youths

Staff Reporter

TIRUCHI: Three youths were killed and three others sustained grievous injuries when an empty steel tank in which spirit was stored months ago exploded during a process of welding in a distillery unit at Senthaneerpuram in the city on Thursday.

While the body of one victim, charred beyond recognition, was retrieved from inside the adjacent empty tank by a team of Fire and Rescue Service personnel, body parts of the other two were reportedly found scattered several metres away.

The deceased were identified as John Kennedy, Saravanan and Rajesh. The injured youth Senthilkumar, Selvakumar and Salim were admitted to a private hospital.

Welding sparks could have ignited alcohol sediments in the tank causing the explosion, the Divisional Fire Officer, K. Sathiyamoorthy, said after making a study. Accompanied by senior officials, the Commissioner of Police, Karuna Sagar, visited the spot and made enquiries.

Police sources said the explosion had occurred since the welding work was undertaken with the lid closed on the vertical tank that was empty for the past nine months.

Deputy Commissioner of Police S. Rajendran said the opinion of Scientific Officer of the Forensic Sciences Department would be sought to determine if there was any negligence. The Ponmalai police have registered a case.

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