TNI Bureau: The death toll in the devastating explosion at a Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district has climbed to 17, officials confirmed on Wednesday, as more injured workers succumbed to their wounds.

The powerful blast, which occurred inside the plant premises on Tuesday, is suspected to have been triggered by a boiler malfunction, though authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause. Several workers were reportedly on duty at the time of the explosion, which led to massive destruction within the unit and caused panic among employees.

Emergency response teams, along with local administration officials, rushed to the site soon after the incident. Rescue operations continued through the night, with the injured being shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. A number of workers remain in critical condition, raising fears that the toll could rise further.

The Chhattisgarh government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident to determine accountability and possible violations of industrial safety norms. Compensation has been announced for the families of the deceased, while free medical treatment is being provided to the injured.

The tragedy has once again highlighted serious concerns over workplace safety in heavy industries, prompting demands for stricter enforcement of safety regulations across industrial units.