Bhubaneswar, Nov. 19: The Union ministry of labour and employment today threatened to launch a probe into the Bhushan steel plant mishap if the inquiry instituted by the state government failed to establish the reasons for the incident and the number of people killed.

Terming the November 13 accident as an unfortunate one, Union minister of state for labour and employment K. Suresh said: “The state government is investigating the matter. However, the ministry will interfere only if the probe by the state is found to be unsatisfactory. The government of India is closely monitoring the incident.”

Stating that the Centre is waiting for the state government’s report on this issue, the minister said: “If needed, we will direct the regional labour commissioner to conduct a probe into the incident. Action will be taken against those found to be guilty in the November 13 mishap”.

Though people have raised doubts over the number of deaths in the accident, according to official records only one person died and 19 others had sustained injuries.

The minister accused the steel plant authority of not adhering to the safety norms. “Labour laws have been clearly violated,” he said. Normalcy is slowly returning at the Bhushan steel plant site near Meramundali after police had issued prohibitory orders near the site. The plant gate remained opened all day.