A team of 25 Telangana CID officials (including 4 DSPs) visited the Srisailam power station to probe into a fire tragedy that killed 9 employees. The prima facie evidence suggested to the officials that the tragedy happened due to a short circuit.
On 20 August, fire broke out in a plant located at Nagarkurnool district in Telangana in which engineers who were working in their night shifts lost their lives. A case registered by the local police has now been transferred to the CID.
The forensic team collected wires and some burnt objects from the site. They also videographed the location. The team also recorded statements of the Telangana GENCO officials at Srisailam. After the unfortunate incident, deputy engineer’s family was given ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh and others got Rs 25 lakh each. The families were also offered jobs as per the announcement made by the Chief Minister of Telangana.
Meanwhile, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also visited the residence of assistant engineer Uzma Fatima who lost her life in the mishap and said that it was saddening that nine people lost their lives in the mishap. Fatima’s father informed that she was a bright student and had worked hard to get a job in the Telangana govt. Most of the engineers who lost lives belonged to Hyderabad.
The Daily Guardian found out that all the nine employees tried to run away from the spot when the fire broke out. After realising that they could not douse the flames, they tried to get out of the inferno but it was too late. The experience was nightmarish since one engineer Sunder Naik called his wife by land phone in the plant and said, “I may not come back home. The situation is bad and difficult. It’s impossible to get out of this inferno. Take care of the children. This may be the last call to you.” Surinder, who had joined duty after successfully defeating Covid-19, lost his life in the fire accident.
He also spoke to his fellow engineer Mohan, who recorded their conversation and gave it to the media. Their remains were found in all the five floors of the plant which suggested that they tried to save themselves by trying to reach the top floor but could not escape. When they realised that they could not put out the fire, they tried to escape through the two escape tunnels but could not come out due to toxic smoke. All those who lost their lives were young and had graduated in engineering from prestigious colleges. Most of them were selected five years ago for the jobs through state-level tests. There was no such accident like this in the last 60-year history of the Srisailam hydel power plant.