At least four workers were killed and six others injured after a service lift collapsed late Tuesday night at a power plant in Ucchpinda village of Sakti district, in India’s central state of Chhattisgarh, police confirmed on Wednesday.

According to local authorities, the tragic accident occurred at RKM Powergen Pvt. Ltd., located about 234 kilometers northeast of Raipur, the state capital. The workers were descending in the service lift after completing their night shift when the lift suddenly plummeted to the ground, causing severe injuries to all 10 people inside.

“Last night, 10 workers were descending in the lift after completing their shift. It suddenly fell and crashed, injuring everyone on board,” a senior police official said. “All the injured were immediately taken to Jindal Fortis Hospital in nearby Raigarh district, where four of them succumbed to their injuries.”

The six surviving workers remain hospitalized and are undergoing treatment. Hospital officials said that some of the injured are in critical condition, and additional medical support has been arranged.

Authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that the industrial lift had recently undergone maintenance, raising questions about possible mechanical failure or negligence.

Local labor groups have called for a thorough inquiry and compensation for the victims’ families, pointing to recurring industrial safety lapses in India’s power and construction sectors.

Chhattisgarh, a major hub for power generation and heavy industries, has witnessed multiple industrial accidents in recent years, often linked to safety violations and poor oversight. Worker unions have long demanded stricter enforcement of occupational safety standards and regular audits of private industrial facilities.

Officials from the state Labour Department and Energy Ministry are expected to visit the site to assess the damage and monitor the ongoing investigation.

As of Wednesday afternoon, authorities had not released the names of the deceased, pending notification of their families. (ILKHA)