A routine safety test turned deadly on Friday at Avaada Group’s solar manufacturing plant in Butibori MIDC when a towering 36-foot water storage tank, capable of holding 10 lakh litres, suddenly ruptured. The violent burst claimed the lives of six workers and left nine others seriously injured, three in critical condition.
The accident occurred around 11 am during a leak test of the plant’s five overhead tanks. Thirty workers were carrying out welding and other construction tasks around the tank when it collapsed, sending torrents of water and debris across the site. Survivors described a chaotic scene with twisted metal and muddy water sweeping workers away.
Seventeen-year-old Harshal Masram, who operates a tractor to spray water in the under-construction wing, narrowly avoided the disaster. “I had just arrived when I saw what appeared to be a tidal wave. Had I been there on time, I would have been one of the victims,” he said.
Workers Killed were Migrant Labours from Bihar
Most of those killed and injured were migrant labourers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, working on a contractual basis. The youngest victim, Bulat Kumar, was just 19. Injured workers were rushed to AIIMS Nagpur, government hospitals, and Maya Hospital in Butibori, with some in critical condition.
Nagpur Rural Police have registered an accidental death case at Butibori police station. Superintendent of Police Harssh Poddar said, “The spot has been cordoned off and the district administrations of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are being contacted to inform the kin of the victims.” Plant operations were immediately halted following the accident.
Officials from the district industrial safety and labor departments inspected the site. Gas cylinders used for welding were quickly removed, and workers cut the damaged tank into smaller pieces for safe removal. Survivors questioned why construction work continued near the tank during the testing phase.
Water Tank Burst “Surprising,” Says Official
A source familiar with the inspection said, “These are not pressurised containers like boilers or gas tanks. Water is usually the most stable element. It is surprising that the entire tank burst open. The investigation will determine exactly how it happened.”
The Avaada Butibori plant, partially operational, is one of India’s fastest-built solar manufacturing facilities, with an investment of around Rs 13,000 crore. It houses five 1,000-kilolitre tanks and an underground reservoir, used for cooling, firefighting, and construction purposes. The company has announced compensation for victims and their families.
The plant had previously made headlines in June for producing India’s first 720-watt peak TOPCon solar modules. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had attended its groundbreaking ceremony over a year ago, highlighting it as a cornerstone of India’s renewable energy ambitions.
