Boiler blast in Tamil Nadu's Neyveli thermal plant: 6 dead, 17 injured; firefighters at the spot

At least six people lost their lives and 17 others have been injured in a boiler blast at the Neyveli lignite plant in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district on Wednesday, July 1.

The injured have been rushed to the NLC Lignite Hospital following the massive explosion. The NLC India has its own fire-fighting teams who are present at the site of the accident and helping with the rescue operations following the explosion.

Meanwhile, a number of workers are feared trapped inside the NLC Neyveli lignite plant.

Videos and pictures of the blast took over social media as netizens shared images, showing smoke coming out of the Neyveli plant at Cuddalore, injured workers were seen standing outside the blast site.

An investigation into the incident is underway as the plant was not functional. The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained.

'Distressed': Piyush Goyal on the boiler explosion 

Reacting to the incident, Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal took to Twitter saying, "Distressed to hear about the Neyveli Boiler Blast in Tamil Nadu. Praying for the safety and well being of all, my thoughts are with the bereaved families."

2nd blast in Tamil Nadu

Earlier on May 7, a boiler explosion was reported at Neyveli Lignite Corporation in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore. Around seven people were injured in the accident and five people were killed in a similar blast.