Date:17/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/17/stories/2008051757660100.htm

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Two killed in explosion at Moozhiyar power house

Staff Reporter

13 sustain severe burns; power house shut down

PATHANAMTHITTA: Two persons were killed and 13 sustained severe burns in an explosion, which reportedly occurred in the cabin of Generator No. IV at the Moozhiyar power house of the Sabarigiri hydro-electric project at Moozhiyar in Pathanamthitta district on Friday afternoon.

According to information received at the district headquarters here till 8.30 p.m., the two deceased are Anil, 34, of Aranmula and Shibu Philip of Kadambanad.

The explosion occurred in Generator No. IV around 4.50 p.m. while maintenance work was in progress in Generator No. V, according to official sources.

Anil’s body was retrieved from the debris in the smoke-filled power house by the fire and rescue team after a search that extended to more than two hours.

Seven persons with severe burns have been referred to Kottayam Medical College, according to hospital sources. They identified the injured as Murali, Arun, Clement, Jubin, Prince Mathew, Rince Philip, Sudheesh, Sajeev, Manoj, Mohanan, Monachan, Christel Samuel and Amanullah. District Collector Raju Narayanaswamy and KSEB Deputy Chief Engineer K.J. Thomas are at the spot. The power house was shut down following the explosion.

Telecommunication to Moozhiyar too was cut off following power disruption at the base transmission station. Reports said that the premises of the power house were filled with smoke.

The number of injured persons and even the casualty figure may go up, once the rescue and search operations by the Fire and Rescue team from Ranni and Pathanamthitta are over.