Sivasagar: A casual worker was killed and two others severely injured in an accident that occurred at an under-construction site of the ONGC in Sivasagar district on Wednesday morning.

The incident took place at an effluent treatment plant at Lakhmani near Lakuwa in Sivasagar district. Lakuwa is about 30km from the district headquarters and 355km northeast of Guwahati.

Eyewitnesses said the workers, employees of M/s Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) were engaged in repair and maintenance of the plant. "We heard a loud blast and immediately panic gripped the area. One person died on the spot and two others were seriously injured," an eyewitness said.

He added that four persons were working at the site, one of whom escaped unhurt. "All the four workers were engaged as welders at the plant. Although the reason of the blast has not been ascertained yet, there is every possibility that sparks during welding led to the accident," he said.

The victim has been identified as Prashanta Mohan.

The plant, being constructed by MEIL, is yet to be handed over to the ONGC.

ONGC officials said they were not in a position to comment on the blast as it is still maintained by the contractual company, whose officials were not available for comment.

An ONGC release stated that the two injured are being extended all help. "Senior ONGC doctors have visited the injured and on the advice of doctors at Pragati Hospital, Sivasagar, they were taken to Dibrugarh for further treatment," the release stated.

The release also stated that ONGC has asked MEIL for prompt action to compensate the affected and to ensure safety of workers.

It also stated that the management of MEIL has assured it of prompt action to provide due compensation and are in touch with family members of the affected.

A condolence meeting was held at ONGC, Nazira.