At least 18 Indians were among the 23 people killed and over 130 injured in an LPG tanker blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan, the Indian mission said today.
Sixteen Indians were missing after the incident that happened at Seela Ceramic Factory in Bahri area in Khartoum, the national capital of Sudan, on Tuesday.
ALSO READ: INX Media Case: Congress leader P Chidambaram walks out of Tihar jail after 106 days
“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.
The embassy issued a detailed list of Indians who were hospitalised, went missing or survived the tragedy.
As per its data, 7 people have been hospitalised, with four in critical condition.
Thirty-four Indians who survived have been accommodated at the Saloomi Ceramics Factory residence.
A news report quoted the Sudanese government saying that 23 people were killed and more than 130 injured in the incident, which, according to preliminary reports, indicate that necessary safety equipment was missing at the site.
“There were also inflammable materials improperly stored, which led to the spread of the fire,” the government said, adding that an investigation has been launched.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed grief over the incident and said that the Indian embassy in Sudan has set up a 24-hour emergency hotline.
Have just received the tragic news of a major blast in a ceramic factory “Saloomi” in the Bahri area of the capital Khartoum in Sudan. Deeply grieved to learn that some Indian workers have lost their lives while some others have been seriously injured.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 4, 2019
“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,” the following tweet read.
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.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) December 4, 2019
(With Agency Inputs)