Published On : Mon, Dec 5th, 2016

Nitika Pharma Tragedy : Death toll may multiply as 9 workers very critical

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whatsapp-image-2016-12-02-at-10-54-04-pmNagpur: The major fire accident at Nitika Pharmaceuticals in Nagpur that killed 2 labourers may witness more deaths as nine of the 20 workers, who sustained burn injuries are in a critical condition. Doctors said the chances of survival of these workers are bleak, which may increase the death toll in the case that stands at one.

Altogether 20 workers, all belonging to poor families and aged between 20 and 30 years, suffered severe burn injuries in the fire that broke out at 9pm on Friday. Sandip Pankule (28), who was brought to IGMCH in the most serious condition with 98% burns, died at 3pm.

19 of them were admitted to Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) and one at Orange City Hospital and Research Institute (OCHRI). Later, 12 patients were shifted to OCHRI for treatment due to poor services at IGMCH, while two others were taken to a private hospital.

Dr Sunil Lanjewar, surgery department head at IGMCH, said, “Facial burn and respiratory damage is the most common condition noticed in most of the patients. All such patients are giving out black sputum, which suggests excessive exposure to soot.”

“Initially, IGMCH admitted nine severely injured patients to the burn ward, while 10 others were taken to the general ward,” Dr SP Manjrekar, medical superintendent at IGMCH.

According to the data provided by the hospital, 11 patients have suffered more than 50% burns and are in a serious condition. Only three patients have received minor injuries, while two others have suffered more 90% burns, including Pankule. Among the patients with minor injuries. Dyaneshwar Thakre is the only one who hasn’t received any burns. He was bought to the hospital with some abdominal injury and will be discharged on Sunday evening.

During the afternoon, the families of patients at the burn ward started complaining about the hospital for its poor facility. Within a few hours, several 108 ambulances lined up inside the IGMCH premises and 14 patients were shifted to private hospitals.

Manjrekar said, “The relatives took the patients’ discharge against medical advice.”