Chhattisgarh: Chinese engineers on the run after the collapse of a chimney kills 45 people

New Delhi (AsiaNews) - At least 89 Chinese engineers are on the run, after the collapse of a chimney at a factory building, which has so far left 45 dead.

The chimney is part of a new plant of the Bharat Aluminum Limited Company (Balco) in Korba, Chhattisgarh state. The chimney in construction fell September 23 last, due to incessant rains. Digging is still ongoing beneath the rubble where, according to police, it is possible there are still victims.

The Chinese who fled are employed by the Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation (Sepco) of China. This company had been given the contract to provide engineers and build a power plant of 1200 MW. Sepco entrusted the construction of the chimney to a company from Delhi; Gannon Dunkerley Limited Company (CDCl).

The Indian government has issued an order to stop all Chinese citizens who attempt to leave the country. Four of them have been arrested at the airport in Delhi and sent to Chhattisgarh to be interrogated by the police.

A number of Chinese employees have fled, fearing the revenge of local people from Korba. Officers at the airports have been advised not to allow the 89 Chinese engineers leave since they are necessary to ascertain what exactly happened. At a first glance they do not seem guilty, but they can assist the officers in the investigation and so must remain in India.

Police have meanwhile reported all three companies: Balco, Sepco and Gdcl. Even the staff of Gdcl fled Korba fearing reprisals after the accident.

So far only 40 labourers who died have been identified. Only one is native to Chhattisgarh, the majority, however, come from the neighbouring states of Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. Another nine Chinese employees, including three women, were detained in Raipur and brought to Korba to record their version of the incident.