In Chhattisgarh, six persons incuding two Deputy General Managers were killed and 30 others injured following a massive gas leak at a water pump house of the public sector Bhilai Steel Plant late last night.

A steel plant spokesman said that 30 critically injured employees have been admitted to intensive care unit of the plant's hospital. The spokesman said, the leak took place at the gas clearing plant of water pump house number 2.

Steel Minister Narendra Singh Tomar expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident and ordered a high-level probe. He will visit the steel plant today.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh also expressed grief over the incident and said best medical care will be provided to those affected by the gas leak. Our correspondent reports that the incident occurred when repair work was being carried out in a section of the plant.

At about 6.30 pm gas leakage from the blast furnace occurred. This happened due to the breakdown in a water pump, affecting people working nearby in the plant premises. The Bhilai steel plant management has said that a high level inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the breakdown.