Dozens are being treated for injuries from yesterday's blast that claimed 29 lives. — Reuters pic

LUCKNOW, Nov 2 — The death toll from an explosion at a coal-fired power plant in northern India has risen to 29, the company said today, as three more people died of their injuries.

Dozens more are being treated for critical burn injuries sustained yesterday when a boiler pipe burst at a plant run by India’s largest state-owned power utility in Uttar Pradesh state.

The government-run firm, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), said the death toll had risen to 29 by late Thursday.

“Twenty nine persons have succumbed to injuries and 85 are being treated at hospitals,” NTPC said in a statement.

“NTPC family expresses deep grief, support and condolence for the deceased workers who contributed towards providing 24x7 power to all.”

One survivor described being engulfed by burning hot steam when the explosion occurred.

The man lost consciousness and woke up in hospital covered in burns, according to the Press Trust of India news agency.

Workplace accidents are common in India, where poor safety standards and lax enforcement of regulations have led to horrific deaths.

The 1,550-megawatt (MW) plant, which employs around 870 people and supplies electricity to nine neighbouring states, has shut down one of its units where the boiler exploded.

Its owner the National Thermal Power Corporation has launched an inquiry into what caused the disaster. — AFP