Abu Zolfiqar
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Fire at Indian Nuclear Centre Kills 2
- Thread starter Abu Zolfiqar
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Gin ka Pakistan
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Good thing is no radioactive leakage, sad to know about the researchers
MUMBAI: A fire broke out in a chemistry laboratory in India's top nuclear zone, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), at Trombay on Tuesday afternoon, killing two PhD students who were at work. Experts have ruled out any danger of radioactive radiation following the accident.
The researchers who died were Umang Singh of Mumbai and Partha Bag of Kolkata, both around 25. They were the only two researchers in the lab when the incident occurred; usually there are seven. The bodies were badly charred by the time BARC firemen managed to enter the modular laboratory on the third floor after extinguishing the fire in about 45 minutes.
Teams from BARC and the police are investigating the cause of the fire. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) spokesperson S K Malhotra was emphatic that there was no "reactor, radioactivity or radiation" involved in the accident.
Despite the statement, and top scientists insisting that it was only an accident and nothing else, the mishap -- viewed against the backdrop of a recent Intelligence Bureau alert which said that India's nuclear facilities could be under a terror threat -- triggered considerable speculation among staffers.
This is the third time in the recent past that a nuclear establishment in India has hit the headlines for the wrong reason. The first incident occurred at the Kaiga Atomic Power Station in Karnataka where a staffer allegedly tried to contaminate drinking water with heavy water. Investigations have been in progress for the last two months but not much headway has been made.
The second incident occurred at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station where CISF personnel nabbed several people attempting to smuggle out some computer-related parts. Atomic energy officials refused to call it a security breach.
Former nuclear chief P K Iyengar told TOI that he could not recall any such serious accident at BARC in recent times. "I do remember that several years ago, an employee died as a result of a crane accident at the central workshop of BARC. But I do not remember any serious accident in the laboratories that proved fatal like today. Yes, there were incidents now and then, but they were of a minor nature," he added.
Another official of the nuclear establishment said the laboratory room, in which a number of analytical instruments such as spectro-photometers were kept, was badly damaged. "But the overall working of the department itself and BARC as a whole will remain unaffected," he added.
The official admitted that this accident -- despite being the first of its kind at the centre and despite the excellent safety mechanisms in place -- would undoubtedly be a serious blow to its image. Asked whether any changes would be introduced in the working of the chemistry laboratory, he said it would be decided only after the safety review committee completed its investigation. He said this was the second major accident at an Indian nuclear establishment, the first one being at the Narora Atomic Power Station two decades ago.
The timing of the accident is also coincidental -- it happened during the concluding phase of the birth centenary celebrations of Homi Bhabha, considered to be the father of India's nuclear programme. However, a former BARC employee said that too much could not be read into an accident of this sort. "Such accidents cannot be ruled out completely if scientists work with solvents. Students can sometimes be careless too. I am absolutely convinced that it was an accident, possibly the result of a little carelessness," he said.
The researchers who died were Umang Singh of Mumbai and Partha Bag of Kolkata, both around 25. They were the only two researchers in the lab when the incident occurred; usually there are seven. The bodies were badly charred by the time BARC firemen managed to enter the modular laboratory on the third floor after extinguishing the fire in about 45 minutes.
Teams from BARC and the police are investigating the cause of the fire. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) spokesperson S K Malhotra was emphatic that there was no "reactor, radioactivity or radiation" involved in the accident.
Despite the statement, and top scientists insisting that it was only an accident and nothing else, the mishap -- viewed against the backdrop of a recent Intelligence Bureau alert which said that India's nuclear facilities could be under a terror threat -- triggered considerable speculation among staffers.
This is the third time in the recent past that a nuclear establishment in India has hit the headlines for the wrong reason. The first incident occurred at the Kaiga Atomic Power Station in Karnataka where a staffer allegedly tried to contaminate drinking water with heavy water. Investigations have been in progress for the last two months but not much headway has been made.
The second incident occurred at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station where CISF personnel nabbed several people attempting to smuggle out some computer-related parts. Atomic energy officials refused to call it a security breach.
Former nuclear chief P K Iyengar told TOI that he could not recall any such serious accident at BARC in recent times. "I do remember that several years ago, an employee died as a result of a crane accident at the central workshop of BARC. But I do not remember any serious accident in the laboratories that proved fatal like today. Yes, there were incidents now and then, but they were of a minor nature," he added.
Another official of the nuclear establishment said the laboratory room, in which a number of analytical instruments such as spectro-photometers were kept, was badly damaged. "But the overall working of the department itself and BARC as a whole will remain unaffected," he added.
The official admitted that this accident -- despite being the first of its kind at the centre and despite the excellent safety mechanisms in place -- would undoubtedly be a serious blow to its image. Asked whether any changes would be introduced in the working of the chemistry laboratory, he said it would be decided only after the safety review committee completed its investigation. He said this was the second major accident at an Indian nuclear establishment, the first one being at the Narora Atomic Power Station two decades ago.
The timing of the accident is also coincidental -- it happened during the concluding phase of the birth centenary celebrations of Homi Bhabha, considered to be the father of India's nuclear programme. However, a former BARC employee said that too much could not be read into an accident of this sort. "Such accidents cannot be ruled out completely if scientists work with solvents. Students can sometimes be careless too. I am absolutely convinced that it was an accident, possibly the result of a little carelessness," he said.
AliFarooq
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They have other things to worry about for example, Pak nukes getting into Taliban hands.
Trying to pass witty sarcastic comments isnt the most humane thing one can do while mourning death of people . I wonder if you would say the something in a simililar tone if there is another explosion in Pakistan and some defence people/civillians are killed.
@topic
May there souls rest in peace. People in India need to be protected from all these things that go on in our daily lives. The value of human life in India is indeed not significant enough.
Bas_tum_Pak
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already posted before
Abu Zolfiqar
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this is a new incident.....happened just yesterday. I checked before posting, but if this is indeed a repost --my apologies.
yes indian nuclear-related news has seen some "lows"....especially after last couple months. But in this case, article does state that the chance of radioactive leak was not likely
brahmastra
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BARC fire was not accidental, says former director
Mumbai: The fire at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre was not a mere accident and could be "some one's" way of checking the preparedness of the nuclear centre in the backdrop of intelligence reports of a possible terror attack, said former Director of the centre A N Prasad.
"It could be that someone is testing us (BARC) to know our preparedness and response to such incidents. We have been told by intelligence that BARC is one of targets for terror attacks," Prasad told PTI from Bangalore today.
Two persons were killed in the fire yesterday at the high-security premises.
From media reports one could conjuncture that someone is trying to ascertain how vulnerable the centre is, he said adding, the security system of the centre should not be disclosed.
BARC scientist had escaped fire just week before his death
Modular laboratory in BARC is not vulnerable to such an explosion as these labs do not handle any hazardous chemicals, he said hinting at a foul play.
"Modular laboratory does not handle any hazardous chemicals and yesterday's fire and explosion which resulted in the death of two persons is a cause of great concern,"Prasad said.
Modular lab has a Safety Committee and they are supposed to periodically go through all the laboratories housed there and also review, he said.
The spectroscopy laboratory where the accident took place did not have any cylinders and it also does not store any hazardous chemicals to result in such explosion, he said.
Even if some inflammable chemicals are kept in the lab, it cannot cause death of people, he said, adding the incident should be taken as a indicator.
-PTI
BARC fire news-BARC fire was not accidental, says former director
Mumbai: The fire at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre was not a mere accident and could be "some one's" way of checking the preparedness of the nuclear centre in the backdrop of intelligence reports of a possible terror attack, said former Director of the centre A N Prasad.
"It could be that someone is testing us (BARC) to know our preparedness and response to such incidents. We have been told by intelligence that BARC is one of targets for terror attacks," Prasad told PTI from Bangalore today.
Two persons were killed in the fire yesterday at the high-security premises.
From media reports one could conjuncture that someone is trying to ascertain how vulnerable the centre is, he said adding, the security system of the centre should not be disclosed.
BARC scientist had escaped fire just week before his death
Modular laboratory in BARC is not vulnerable to such an explosion as these labs do not handle any hazardous chemicals, he said hinting at a foul play.
"Modular laboratory does not handle any hazardous chemicals and yesterday's fire and explosion which resulted in the death of two persons is a cause of great concern,"Prasad said.
Modular lab has a Safety Committee and they are supposed to periodically go through all the laboratories housed there and also review, he said.
The spectroscopy laboratory where the accident took place did not have any cylinders and it also does not store any hazardous chemicals to result in such explosion, he said.
Even if some inflammable chemicals are kept in the lab, it cannot cause death of people, he said, adding the incident should be taken as a indicator.
-PTI
BARC fire news-BARC fire was not accidental, says former director
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