A day after a major fire claimed the life of a worker of an oil recycling company in the Edayar industrial area, the Ernakulam district administration on Friday (March 27, 2026) expressed doubts over possible safety lapses by a private firm.
After a special meeting to review the situation, District Collector G. Priyanka said there was a prima facie indication of failure. Police have been ordered to investigate possible negligence on the part of the company, it said in a statement.
The Collector directed the concerned departments to conduct joint inspections of such industrial establishments across the district within the next 10 days to prevent similar incidents in future.
It also directed the company management to provide immediate financial assistance of ₹5,000 to the family of the deceased worker, bear the educational expenses of his children and offer a job to his wife if she wants. Measures will also be taken to ensure that the family receives all statutory benefits and compensation due under the law.
Officials from various departments and company representatives took part in the proceedings in the Collection Chamber.
Shatrughan Mukhya, a native of Bihar, was killed in a fire that broke out at Cee Gee Lubricants on Thursday (March 26, 2026) morning. It is found that the deceased went to the facility to turn off the boiler. Firefighters managed to put out the flames in almost two hours.
A staged protest
Meanwhile, a protest broke out at Edayar Junction on Friday evening demanding adequate compensation for the family of the deceased. The protesters, including activists and migrant workers, placed the coffin on the road, temporarily disrupting traffic. They demanded at least ₹25 lakh as compensation for Mukhya’s relatives.
Published – 27 March 2026 21:27 IST
