Guwahati: The death toll in the explosion and subsequent fire at Oil India Limited’s (OIL) Intermediate Tank Farm (ITF) facility in Tengakhat, Dibrugarh district, has risen to six after another injured worker succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
The latest victim, identified as Golap Dutta, was a resident of Ulton Bordoloni in Tengakhat. He had sustained serious burn injuries in the incident and was being treated at a private hospital in Dibrugarh.
The explosion occurred around 9.05 am on Friday, November 6, while workers were carrying out maintenance activities at the facility. According to OIL’s preliminary assessment, the blast took place in the Indirect Bath Heater (IDBH) area of the tank farm, which had been isolated for maintenance work since November 4.
The explosion triggered a major fire, leaving seven personnel with severe burn injuries. All the injured workers were employed by Mumbai-based Spectron Engineers Private Limited, OIL’s operations and maintenance contractor at the facility.
Seven workers injured in explosion
The injured workers were initially admitted to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh and OIL Hospital in Duliajan. Those requiring specialised treatment were subsequently shifted to private healthcare facilities.
The injured personnel included Sailen Gogoi (45), Tapas Gogoi (40), Kumud Gogoi (39), Indra Gogoi (40) and Rupam Gogoi, among others.
Tapas Gogoi and Rupam Gogoi subsequently died while undergoing treatment. Kumud Gogoi, a resident of Borbeel Dighalia in Tengakhat, also succumbed to his injuries at Aastha Hospital in Dibrugarh, according to an earlier report.
Following the incident, OIL announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased worker. The company also announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for every injured worker.
OIL has also suspended four of its personnel, including three officers and one employee, over alleged dereliction of official duties in connection with the explosion.
Tengakhat incident revives Baghjan safety concerns
The latest incident has renewed concerns over industrial safety at oil installations in Assam, bringing back memories of the Baghjan blowout in Tinsukia district in 2020.
The Baghjan disaster began on May 27, 2020, following a blowout at Well No. 5 of the Baghjan Oil Field. The well remained ablaze for several months before the fire was finally extinguished on November 15, 2020.
The disaster affected more than 7,000 families and caused extensive damage to the surrounding environment and local livelihoods.
The Baghjan incident remains one of the most significant industrial disasters associated with OIL. The latest tragedy at Tengakhat has once again brought worker safety, maintenance practices and accountability at oil installations in the region into focus.