Bara, 21 June: Two Indian nationals lost their lives on the spot and four others were injured when an oil tank caught fire and exploded in Jagadamba Steel Industry at Jitpursimara sub-metropolis of Bara.

The deceased have been identified as Pradip Gaun, 40, and Ramnath Mahato, 45, of Bihar, India. The incident occurred as workers were welding the furnace oil tank in the industry last night.

Two fire engines of Jitpursimara and Birgunj sub-metropolis had brought the fire under control.

Police said Raj Kumar BK, Indra Prasad Adhikari, Nawaraj Chaulagain and Abades Kushwaha were injured in the incident. The injured were sent to Birgunj-based Vayodha Hospital after primary treatment in Simara Hospital, said police. “Of the injured, BK’s condition is said to be critical,” said police.

Meanwhile, local leaders have expressed serious concerns about negligence on the part of the industry as a result of which dozens of workers have lost their lives.

Anesh Chaudhary, 28, of Karaiyamai Rural Municipality died after he got stuck in a pressure machine four months ago.

Similarly, an Indian citizen died and two others were injured when a machine exploded. Local leaders said many people had died in fires that break out frequently. They said the deadly incident occurred due to utter negligence on the part of the industry operator.

Locals have named the steel industry a man-killer industry. Local CPN-UML leader Manoj Poudel said dozens of labourers lost their lives as the industry did not pay attention to their safety.