Displaying items by tag: tragedy

US: A coal pile collapse at Cemex USA's Knoxville, Tennessee, cement plant killed one worker at the plant earlier in November 2022. Local press has reported that Thomas Mitchell, aged 21, died at the scene.

Cemex says that it is cooperating with an on-going investigation into the disaster.

US: A 43-year old worker died after sustaining severe injuries at Giant Cement’s Harleyville, South Carolina, cement plant on 21 July 2022. Local press has reported that the cause of the tragedy involved a conveyor belt at the plant.

Mexico: Eight people have died in an armed clash at Cooperativa La Cruz Azul’s Hidalgo cement plant. The El País newspaper has reported that attackers riding in multiple trucks arrived at the plant in the early hours of 27 April 2022. In addition to the eight dead, a further 12 people were wounded in the ensuing fight with defenders. Attackers also destroyed some control panel wiring at the plant and set fire to eight vehicles. The altercation caused a suspension of cement production at the facility.

Police detained nine suspects and have established a watch at the Hidalgo plant.

India: An explosion at a cement plant in Gujarat’s Rajkot district has killed three workers. The Times of India newspaper has reported that police have detained two engineers on suspicion of criminal negligence.

Mexico: GCC has reported that a worker at its Chihuahua cement has died in hospital following an explosion on 25 Feburary which injured five others. The company says that it activated all safety protocols in response to the disaster and coordinated its actions with the responding authorities. It continues to support the investigation into the cause of the blast.

The company said “Unfortunately, one of the six injured died in hospital. We are currently in contact with his family, to whom we have expressed our deepest condolences, and with the families of our other injured collaborators to make all our support and resources available to them at this difficult time.”

US: A LafargeHolcim employee who died at the company’s Holly Hill plant in South Carolina ‘had an accident’ according to Orangeburg County Chief Deputy Coroner Sean Fogle. Fogle has yet to determine the cause of death of the 65 year-old, who fell from the fourth to the third floor before 9:00AM on 4 December 2019 and died at the scene. The State newspaper has reported that the Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office are investigating the fatal incident. Neither body has ruled out the possibility of criminal sanctions against the deceased’s former employer.

Nigeria: A Dangote Cement lorry suffered a brake failure on a hill in Nasarawa State and collided with a people carrier, killing all 11 passengers. Passengers of other vehicles were also injured. The Punch newspaper has described the lorry as ‘heavily-laden.’

This follows the head-on collision of a Dangote lorry with a bus in Ikorodu, Lagos State, in August 2019, which killed three and injured all 69 other bus passengers. The lorry, carrying 45t, significantly over its rated capacity, had suffered a brake failure. Both incidents are under investigation by the company.