Kasaragod: A 19-year-old worker was killed and two others were injured after gas was released under high pressure from a boiler at a factory in the Ananthapur Industrial Estate near Kumble on Sunday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Maheshwar Kanhar, a native of Odisha. Among the injured, 24-year-old Tanuji is in critical condition and has been shifted to a hospital in Mangaluru, while 21-year-old Siddhananda is undergoing treatment at Kumble District Cooperative Hospital.
The incident occurred at around 10am at the Oxygen Promax factory, which manufactures value-added products from chicken waste. According to reports, the accident occurred when gas was suddenly released with considerable force from the factory’s boiler.
Worker thrown into waste pit
Maheshwar was reportedly working near the boiler when the high-pressure gas release occurred. The force of the release threw him into a deep pit containing chicken waste at the factory premises.
After seeing Maheshwar fall into the pit, Tanuji and Siddhananda reportedly rushed to rescue him. They too were injured during the rescue attempt.
Other workers at the factory subsequently pulled all three workers out of the pit and shifted them to hospital for treatment.
Maheshwar sustained serious injuries in the incident. Despite receiving medical treatment, he later succumbed to his injuries.
Two workers injured during rescue
Tanuji suffered serious injuries and was shifted to a hospital in Mangaluru for further treatment. Her condition was reported to be critical.
Siddhananda also sustained injuries and is receiving treatment at Kumble District Cooperative Hospital.
The incident has raised concerns about workplace safety at industrial units using boilers and other high-pressure equipment.
The exact technical cause of the sudden gas release has not been established in the available reports. Further investigation is expected to determine what led to the incident and whether any safety systems or equipment were involved.
Incident occurred at Oxygen Promax factory
The accident took place at Oxygen Promax, located in the Ananthapur Industrial Estate near Kumble in Kasaragod district.
The factory is involved in manufacturing value-added products from chicken waste. Such industrial processes can involve specialised machinery and equipment, making adherence to workplace safety procedures important.
Sunday morning’s incident occurred during working hours, when employees were carrying out their regular duties at the facility.
The sudden release of gas from the boiler created a hazardous situation within the factory premises. The three workers were subsequently rescued and transported to hospital.
Previous boiler accident in same industrial area
The latest incident comes less than a year after another serious boiler accident at the Ananthapur Industrial Estate.
In October 2025, a boiler explosion occurred at a plywood factory in the same industrial area, killing one worker and injuring several others. The incident took place at a Decor Panel plywood factory, and authorities subsequently began an investigation into the cause of the explosion.
Following that earlier accident, officials from the Factories and Boilers Department inspected the boiler, related equipment and electrical connections. CCTV footage and statements from workers and factory representatives were also examined as part of the investigation.
The recurrence of a serious boiler-related incident in the same industrial area is likely to bring renewed attention to safety standards, maintenance procedures and inspections at factories using pressure equipment.
Investigation expected to establish cause
The latest incident has resulted in one death and two injuries, but the available reports do not establish whether the boiler itself exploded or whether the accident was caused by a sudden high-pressure gas release.
Reports describe a forceful release of gas from the boiler, which caused Maheshwar to fall into the waste pit. The precise sequence of events and the technical reason for the gas release will need to be established through an official investigation.
Authorities are expected to examine the condition and operation of the boiler, safety mechanisms, pressure levels, maintenance records and working procedures at the factory.
Such an investigation would also help determine whether the incident resulted from equipment failure, operational issues or another factor.
Focus on industrial workplace safety
Boilers and pressure systems require regular inspection and maintenance because failures or uncontrolled pressure releases can result in serious injuries.
The incident also highlights the risks faced by workers who may be required to work close to industrial machinery and processing areas.
Safety measures are particularly important in facilities where workers operate around boilers, pits, processing equipment and other potentially hazardous areas.
The rescue attempt by Tanuji and Siddhananda also resulted in both workers sustaining injuries. Their condition and recovery will remain a key concern following the accident.
Industrial estates need regular safety checks
Industrial estates bring together factories with different manufacturing processes and equipment. Regular safety inspections and compliance with prescribed standards are therefore important to reduce the risk of workplace accidents.
The Ananthapur Industrial Estate has witnessed industrial accidents in the past, including the boiler explosion at a plywood factory in 2025. The latest incident has again highlighted the need for close monitoring of industrial equipment and worker safety.
While the exact cause of Sunday’s incident remains to be established, a detailed technical investigation can help identify any shortcomings and prevent similar accidents in the future.
Conclusion
A 19-year-old worker from Odisha was killed and two others were injured after a high-pressure gas release from a boiler at the Oxygen Promax factory in the Ananthapur Industrial Estate near Kumble.
The deceased, Maheshwar Kanhar, reportedly fell into a pit containing chicken waste and later died despite treatment. Two workers who attempted to rescue him were also injured, with Tanuji reported to be in critical condition and Siddhananda undergoing treatment.
The exact cause of the incident remains to be established. The accident also comes after a separate boiler explosion at a plywood factory in the same industrial area in 2025, underscoring the importance of safety inspections and preventive measures at industrial units.