CHENNAI: A 24-year-old guest worker was killed and five others sustained injuries after a furnace blast at a scrap recycling unit in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate, Gummidipoondi, Tiruvallur district, during the early hours of Tuesday.

The deceased was identified as Ravi Ranjan (24), a native of Bihar, police said. The injured workers, Ranjith Kumar, Prince Kumar, Om Kumar, Raja Babu and Om Prakash, all natives of Bihar were engaged in routine work when the furnace exploded.

Police said Ravi Ranjan suffered severe burn injuries in the explosion, while the five others sustained minor injuries. Co-workers rushed the injured workers to the Government Hospital in Gummidipoondi. However, Ravi Ranjan succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital. Other workers are undergoing treatment.

Further investigations are underway.