Dibrugarh (Assam), November 6: At least five workers were injured and one worker is missing after a fire and explosion at the Intermediate Tank Farm (ITF) of Oil India Limited (OIL) in Tengakhat, in Assam's Dibrugarh district, on Friday morning, ANI reported.

Source: ANI via DevDiscourse

The incident occurred during technical work at the facility, with preliminary reports suggesting the explosion took place in the crude oil storage section while a valve was being operated. Eastern Lens reported the explosion occurred in the crude oil storage area of the Oil Collecting Station (OCS) located inside the ITF premises, and was followed by a major fire that sent thick plumes of black smoke into the sky.

Source: Eastern Lens

Five injured workers named, taken to AMCH

The five injured workers have been identified as Tapas Gogoi (40), a resident of Milan Nagar in Dibrugarh; Shailen Gogoi (45); Kumud Gogoi (38); Golap Dutta (58); and Indra Gogoi (40) — the last four residents of Tengakhat. All five were admitted to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh for treatment. In a subsequent statement, the contractor's area manager said one more person was being treated at the Oil India hospital, in addition to the five at AMCH.

One worker missing after the blast

One worker remains missing following the explosion. According to preliminary information, the force of the blast threw him away, and a special team is working to trace him. Eastern Lens identified the missing person as Raju Dutta; ANI's report confirms a worker is missing and being searched for, without naming him.

A reported death remains unconfirmed

Eastern Lens reported that one person was killed in the incident, but also said the identity of the deceased was yet to be confirmed. That death has NOT been confirmed by ANI: Kamal Phukan, Area Manager of Spectron Engineers Pvt Ltd, told ANI, 'During technical work, a fire broke out and around five people were injured. They have been brought to the Assam Medical College and Hospital here. I have no information about any death.' Readers should treat the reported death as unconfirmed until officials confirm it.

The injured workers were reportedly employees of Spectron Engineers Private Limited, a Mumbai-based company engaged by Oil India Limited for work at the facility. Phukan said the incident occurred during routine maintenance work on machinery that is serviced monthly or quarterly.

Fire and emergency services personnel rushed to the spot and launched firefighting operations; Eastern Lens reported the blaze had not been brought under control at the time it filed its report. The exact cause of the explosion and the total number of people affected are yet to be officially confirmed. What happens next is the search for the missing worker, official confirmation of the casualty figures, and an inquiry into what caused the explosion.