HPCL complex fire toll rises to 24

The death toll in last month's fire accident at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited's complex in Visakhapatnam rose to 24 with one more worker succumbing to his burn injuries on Tuesday.

Murali Pradhan (30), who was undergoing treatment at Old Care hospital, succumbed to his burn injuries, according to HPCL sources.

Meanwhile, seven workers, who were airlifted to a burns hospital in Mumbai, are responding well to the treatment and their condition is stable.

A massive fire had broken out on August 23 evening at the sprawling complex of HPCL when staffers from private companies were at work.

Out of the 24 killed in the mishap so far, only one person was an employee of HPCL. The rest of the victims were private workers engaged by contract companies.

At present 16 patients -- nine in local hospitals and seven in Mumbai -- are undergoing treatment.