Steam boiler explosion at cold store leaves 1 dead, 2 injured

Srinagar, Apr 29: A blast at a cold storage unit in the fruit mandi area of Aglar in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday late evening left one engineer dead and two others injured during repair work.

The incident occurred at Zum Zum cold store when a steamer being repaired exploded, injuring three engineers on the spot.

The injured were shifted to District Hospital Shopian for treatment, where one of them succumbed to injuries, while two others are undergoing treatment. The deceased has been identified as Saurabh Singh, while the injured have been identified as Dileep Kumar and Ram Kumar. All three are residents of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.

A steamer in such units refers to a steam-generating system or boiler used for heating, pressure control, or maintenance operations within the facility. It operates under high pressure and temperature, and any malfunction during repair or operation can lead to explosions, making it a high-risk component if not handled properly.

The trio was reportedly engaged in repair work at the cold storage facility when the explosion took place. The condition of the injured persons was not immediately known.

The cause of the blast is being ascertained.

Notably, a cold store (cold storage facility) is a temperature-controlled unit used to preserve perishable goods such as fruits, vegetables, and other agricultural produce by slowing down spoilage and extending shelf life.