Kochi: With the death of Arun P Bhaskar(26), native of Odayampadi, Puthankurishu, of severe burns late at night on Wednesday, the toll in the blast at a sub-station of a captive power plant in BPCL’s Kochi Refinery Complex on Tuesday, has increased to two.
Velayudhan K.D. (53), s/o Govindan Nair, Korakuzhy House, Chettikode, who suffered over 80 per cent burn in the mishap, had died at 5.30 am at a private hospital at Palarivattom. "An inquest was carried out and the body handed over to relatives after autopsy," police said.
The two contract workers were engaged in maintenance work of the 220 KV sub-station when a short circuit led to a shock wave. "They were thrown backwards even as thick plumes of smoke started billowing out of the substation cabin. They suffered severe burns by then and we rushed them to hospital after covering them with cloth," said Shaju, a co-worker who took them to hospital.
A preliminary report submitted by the Puthenkurishu village officer to the district collector found that the works at the refinery at Ambalamukal were carried out without taking sufficient precautionary measures.
