Srisailam hydroelectric power plant fire
{{short description|Fire in Andhra Pradesh, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox event
|title=2020 Srisailam hydroelectric plant fire
|place=Srisailam, Telangana, India
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|reported deaths=9
|cause=Electrical short circuit in the power plant
|also known as=
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|date={{start date|df=yes|2020|8|20}}
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On 20 August 2020, a major fire broke out in late night hours in an underground hydroelectric power plant in Srisailam in the state of Telangana. The fire blaze killed 9 people, including 5 engineers and 15 employees who were inside the power plant escaped since the fire broke out.{{clarify|5+15=20, not 9|date=March 2021}}{{Cite web|date=August 21, 2020|first=Roushan|last=Ali|title=Srisailam Power Plant Fire Accident: 9 dead in Srisailam power plant fire mishap |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-9-dead-in-srisailam-power-plant-fire-mishap/articleshow/77675557.cms|access-date=2020-08-21|website=The Times of India|language=en}}{{Cite news|date=2020-08-21|title=India power plant fire: Nine reported dead in major blaze in Telangana|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-53861457|access-date=2020-08-21}} It was suspected that the fire broke out due to a short circuit situated at Srisailam's dam left bank.{{Cite web|title=9 Dead In Fire At Telangana Hydroelectric Plant|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fire-at-srisailam-hydroelectric-plant-in-telangana-nine-trapped-national-disaster-response-force-called-in-2282852|access-date=2020-08-21|website=NDTV.com}} The fire was brought under control by the firefighters after several hours of struggle as of 21 August 2020 and the rescue operations were delayed for hours due to smoke. The bodies of nine workers were recovered during the rescue operations.{{Cite web|last=P|first=Ashish|date=August 21, 2020|title=Srisailam fire: 9 bodies pulled out of hydel plant in Telangana|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/srisailam-hydel-power-plant-fire-bodies-of-workers-recovered-1713640-2020-08-21|access-date=2020-08-21|website=India Today|language=en}}
Background
India has recorded numerous cases related to fire accidents in the history mainly due to lack of safety facilities and inadequate fire extinguishers. The Visakhapatnam gas leak, Vijayawada fire, the Delhi factory fire, and the Delhi hotel fire were the country's worst fire accidents in the recent{{when|date=March 2021}} times. India is currently{{when|date=March 2021}} the third worst affected country in the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the fire incident has posed further burden and humiliation to the healthcare sector impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in India.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
Response
Chief minister of Telangana K. Chandrasekhar Rao ordered an immediate inquiry by the CID{{clarify|What is CID?|date=March 2021}} to probe regarding the incident. The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh for the kin of the engineers and Rs 20 lakh for the others.
{{Cite web|title=9 Dead In Fire At Telangana Hydroelectric Plant|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/fire-at-srisailam-hydroelectric-plant-in-telangana-nine-trapped-national-disaster-response-force-called-in-2282852|access-date=2020-08-21|website=NDTV.com}} Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy who was scheduled to visit Srisailam for an aerial survey of a project apparently cancelled his visit and instead promised to offer assistance.{{Cite web|title=CM Jagan Mohan Reddy cancels Srisailam visit after fire breaks out at hydroelectric power station|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2020/aug/21/cm-jagan-mohan-reddy-cancels-srisailam-visit-after-fire-breaks-out-at-hydroelectric-power-station-2186444.html|access-date=2020-08-21|website=The New Indian Express|date=21 August 2020 }}
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep condolences regarding the tragic incident and tweeted that he was anguished by the terrible incident.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-21|title=Telangana Srisailam power plant fire: Five engineers among 9 killed; 'deeply unfortunate,' says PM Modi|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/hyderabad/telangana-srisailam-hydel-power-station-fire-injured-missing-6563759/|access-date=2020-08-21|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Disasters in India in 2020}}
{{coord missing|India}}
Category:2020 disasters in India
Category:Building and structure fires in India
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