KHARTOUM
At least18 Indians were among 23 people killed and more than130 injured in an LPG tanker blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan, the Indian mission in Khartoum said on Wednesday.
Sixteen Indians were missing after the incident that happened at Seela Ceramic Factory in Bahri area in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday.
“As per latest reports, but so far not confirmed officially, 18 are dead,” the Indian embassy said in a release.
“Some of the missing may be in the list of dead which we are still to receive as identification is not possible because of the bodies being burnt,” it added. Official sources in New Delhi said 68 Indians were working in the factory.
“Deeply grieved to learn that some Indian workers have lost their lives while some others have been seriously injured,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
“The embassy representative has rushed to the site. A 24-hour emergency hotline +249-921917471 has been set up by @EoI_Khartoum. Embassy is also putting out updates on social media. Our prayers are with the workers and their families,” he tweeted.
The Indian Embassy on Wednesday issued a detailed list of Indians who were hospitalised, went missing or survived the tragedy.
Thirty four Indians who survived have been accommodated at the Saloomi Ceramics Factory residence.
According to a statement issued by the Sudanese government, the blast in a gas tanker triggered the fire in an industrial area.
“Preliminary observations indicate a lack of necessary safety measures and equipment at the factory, in addition to random storage of flammable materials,” it said.
Bodies beyond recognition
An Indain embassy official told Mirror that it is not possible to confirm the identity of the victims immediately as most of the bodies were totally burnt. “It will take time to identify the bodies. I visited the hospital with some of the workers. The bodies were totally burnt,” said an official who didn’t want to be identified. Of the 16 missing, three each are from Tamil Nad and UP, four from Bihar, two each from Rajasthan and Haryana and one each from Gujarat and Delhi.
Courtesy: AGENCIES WITH INPUTS FROM GLADWIN EMMANUEL
