- By Shivam Shandilya
- Tue, 21 Jan 2025 09:26 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Two workers died after being exposed to gas released during the mixing of chemicals in a lithium battery recycling factory located in an industrial area in Bulandshahr. Another worker was critically injured and admitted to a higher center for treatment, reports jagran.com.
Meanwhile, when the police stopped the victims' families and villagers from entering the factory, the villagers sat on a protest at the gate. They also accused the police of collusion with the management to cover up the incident. The District Magistrate (DM) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) visited the site to gather information about the incident. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and sorrow over the incident and extended his sympathy to the victims' families.
Vikrant, a resident of Delhi, worked at the Betex Energies Beyond Limitations factory in the industrial area, where lithium battery recycling is carried out. On Monday morning around 9:00 am, three workers, 26-year-old Satyendra, 28-year-old Ankush Chauhan, and 28-year-old Girish, arrived at the factory. Around 9:15 am, it is alleged that they were exposed to gas released while mixing powder-like chemicals and fell unconscious. The incident caused a panic within the factory. The three workers were taken to the CHC hospital for treatment and later referred to a higher center. Due to the severity of their condition, they were transferred to Fortis Hospital in Greater Noida. Unfortunately, Satyendra and Ankush died during treatment, while Girish's condition remains critical.
Accusations were made that the factory management did not inform the families of the victims about the incident and prevented them from entering the premises. This led to villagers protesting at the gate. Satyendra's family claimed that they were not informed for about five hours. He had been working at the factory for around three months. His bike was also thrown outside the factory.
Upon learning of the unrest, the DM, SSP, ADM Administration Dr. Prashant Kumar, SP City Shankar Prasad, SDM Santosh Jagram, CO Purnima, and Kotwal Ravi Ratan Singh arrived at the scene. The DM and SSP conducted a preliminary investigation. The protesting villagers were demanding that the factory owner be called to the site and that one crore rupees in financial assistance be provided.
Meanwhile, the fire department team conducted an inspection of the site for half an hour. The ADM mentioned that a powder-like substance was found at the site, and it is suspected that the gas was released during the manual mixing of chemicals. The DM stated that an expert would need to confirm the chemical or gas involved, and the investigation is ongoing.