Chennai: A massive explosion in a boiler in Neyveli Lignite plant (NLC) killed at least five persons and has left scores of people injured, on Wednesday morning.

The blast occcured in the fifth unit of the thermal power station-II. While many have been rushed to the NLC Hospital, the in-house fire-fighting team is conducting the rescue operation along with the rescue teams from Cuddalore district administration. 

Cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained.

“Two men died on the spot. Some workers are feared trapped and 16 others have sustained injuries,” the official told PTI adding the injured have been rushed to a hospital in Chennai.

A similar blast in the Unit 6 of the plant on May 7 had claimed eight lives. The explosion was caused due to the above normal temperature in the boiler, said sources.

NLC India Limited is a ‘Navratna’ government of India company in the fossil fuel mining sector in India and thermal power generation.