The former Indian Consul General to Liberia, Upjit Singh Sachdeva, alias Jeety, has disclosed that three severely wounded victims in the recent fire outbreak at the Sethi Steel Factory have been flown out of the country for advanced medical treatment.
Jeety explained that, out of the seven fire victims, four were in critical conditions and needed immediate advanced medical attention. However, one of the victims passed out during the early morning hours of Thursday, August 19, 2021—the day they were to be flown out of the country. He disclosed that the other three have been flown to Accra, Ghana, to be treated at the 37 Military Hospital there.
Speaking to newsmen at the Roberts International Airport (RIA) during the departure of the fire victims, Jeety termed the incident as an unforeseen circumstance that can happen at any time. He said there were seven persons involved in the fire incident: four Liberians and three Indians (expatriates). He noted that, out of the number, four persons were critically injured, necessitating an out-of-Liberia treatment for them. But regrettably, he said, one of the four, Achelal Sarooj, (an Indian), passed away before their departure.
Speaking on behalf of Paul Sethi, Chief Executive Officer of Sethi Brothers (owners of the Sethi Steel Factory), the former Indian Consul General said Paul Sethi regrets the incident and appealed to the families of the victims to remain calm, as he is prepared to do everything possible to ensure that their health are restored.
According to him, Paul Sethi single-handily took the responsibility to shoulder the responsibility to fly the victims out of the country for medical attention, and he did so in time. He explained that the flight was chattered from Senegal and is taking the victims straightly to the 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana.
He said Paul Sethi has initiated an investigation into the fire accident, in order to ascertain the cause of the misfortune, but as nature demands, they are firstly concerned about the well-being of the victims before dealing with the investigation aspect.
Meanwhile, Montserrado County’s district #12 Representative, George B. Samah, has thanked Paul Sethi, Jeety and the entire Indian community for their timely intervention. Representative Samah said this is a clear manifestation of the attributes of a good management.
“We are thankful to the people who are willing to cater to the wellbeing of those that are injured. If this had not been done, and done timely, the people of district #12 would not have been satisfied,” Representative Samah stated.
Representative Samah continued, “Accident, by nature, can happen anywhere—in the bedroom, on the floor, at the workplace, etc.—and so what we need to do as a people is to pray that the people that were burned will be treated and come back home safely to join their family.” He consoled the family members of the individual who passed away.
The Sethi Steel Factory is situated in the LPRC community, district #12, which is represented by Representative Samah at the National Legislature.