Mishap survivors recount personal tales of horror, pain

Mumbai: The 15 persons injured in the fire on Thursday night that damaged six chemical factories, including Novaphene, at Boisar in Tarapur, were rushed to three privately-run hospitals. Eight victims were admitted to Vikas Hospital, five to Tunga and two to Anand Hospital. All 15 are reported to be out of danger, said hospital sources.

Survivors spoke of first hearing a deafening noise following a blast, which saw objects breaking due to the impact.

The patients are all teenagers, who were working in the night shift at the factory. One of the injured, Dinesh Kumar said, “I am from Uttar Pradesh and came here for work. I was on duty when I heard a huge noise and witnessed a blast, following which the glass near my factory splintered and fell on me,” he said.

Dr Ratnakar Mane, a surgeon at Vilas Hospital, said none of the patients’ injuries are serious. “But they are suffering from trauma and are scared.  We have given them treatment so that the infection does not spread. But most of them had glasses pieces stuck to their faces, throat and abdominal areas,” he said.

Ahmed Nawaz (19) said, he was working overtime when  he saw a huge fire. He said, “Out of curiosity, I went to see what was happening and injured myself. Due to the blast, the glass pieces on my window broke and fell on me.”

Sunil Kumar (19), who was in danger of losing sight in his right eye, was brought to the hospital in the nick of time.  Narrating his story, he said, “I was standing there as I had finished my duty. After blast, pieces of glass fell into my right eye. I was bleeding heavily and cannot recollect what has happened after that as I was rushed to hospital.”