The death toll in the explosion at the IFT facility of Oil India Limited (OIL) at Tengakhat has risen to two Tapash Jyoti Gogoi, an employee of Spectron Engineering Pvt. Ltd. and a resident of Milan Nagar, Dibrugarh, died of burn injuries at Aastha Hospital today He had burns over nearly 40 per cent of his body, and the company’s Area Manager, Kamal Phukan, confirmed his death Earlier, Raju Dutta (45) was also reported dead Five critically injured workers were first taken to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) and then shifted to Aastha Hospital, where the condition of three workers is said to be critical
Second Worker Succumbs, Several Remain Critical
Gogoi’s death was confirmed by Kamal Phukan, Area Manager of Spectron Engineering Pvt. Ltd., the company whose employees were involved in the maintenance work. According to the latest reports, Gogoi had suffered extensive burn injuries and was undergoing treatment at Aastha Hospital before succumbing on Saturday. Five critically injured workers were initially taken to Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, before being shifted to Aastha Hospital for further medical care. The condition of three workers is reportedly critical, raising concerns about the recovery of those still receiving treatment. The incident has left two families grieving while several others continue to wait anxiously for updates on their loved ones.
OIL Constitutes Internal Inquiry Committee
According to Oil India’s official statement, the fire broke out at approximately 9:05 am on November 6 at the Indirect Bath Heater (IDBH) section of the Intermediate Tank Farm, which had been isolated since November 4 for maintenance. The company reported that seven workers employed by its operations and maintenance contractor sustained burn injuries. Six were rescued and shifted to hospitals, while one worker died at the site.
OIL’s firefighting systems were activated immediately, with its fire services deploying fire tenders and dry chemical powder tenders to contain the blaze. The fire was extinguished by 12:30 pm, with 11 fire tenders deployed during the operation. The company subsequently constituted an internal inquiry committee to investigate the immediate and underlying causes of the incident, assess the damage and recommend preventive measures.
Dibrugarh District Commissioner Bikram Kairi also visited the accident site along with senior police and administrative officials. He said the district administration would investigate the incident and take necessary measures in coordination with Oil India Limited. He also assured that the injured workers would receive appropriate medical treatment and transportation assistance wherever required. The administration confirmed that the fire had been brought under control and appealed to residents of nearby areas not to panic, stating that evacuation was not necessary.
Meanwhile, OIL expressed its condolences to the bereaved families. With two workers now dead and several others battling serious injuries, questions surrounding industrial safety, maintenance procedures and workplace accountability have become increasingly important.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Industrial accidents are not merely operational failures; they represent lives disrupted, families devastated and communities left searching for answers. Every worker deserves a workplace where safety is treated as a fundamental responsibility rather than an afterthought. While the investigation must establish what led to the explosion, it is equally important that the injured receive the best possible medical care and that affected families receive timely support.
Oil India Limited and the concerned contractors must ensure transparency, accountability and meaningful corrective action so that such tragedies are not repeated. Economic activity and industrial progress must never come at the cost of human lives. How can industries and authorities work together to strengthen workplace safety and ensure that every worker returns home safely?
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