The blast came at about 6.45 on a Sunday morning, when roughly 35 workers were on shift at an explosives factory in Raulgaon village, Nagpur district. Seventeen of them died. Eighteen more were hurt.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave the toll on March 1. He called the incident “extremely unfortunate and tragic” and said he was in constant contact with local authorities. The Times of India, as quoted by Scroll, reported that the plant belongs to SBL Energy Limited. It makes industrial explosives, among them detonators and cartridges used in mining and infrastructure projects. The workers were reportedly under two supervisors.
Fire and rescue
Police said the explosion set off a large fire, and it took four to five hours to bring under control. Rescue work was stepped up after that. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force took part, along with local emergency personnel, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told The Hindu. The injured were taken to hospitals in Nagpur.
Investigation and compensation
“Orders have been issued for a thorough investigation into this incident,” Fadnavis said. No cause has been announced, and the inquiry is still waiting to produce details.
Bawankule, who is the guardian minister for the district, said a high-level review meeting would be held on March 2 at the Divisional Commissioner’s office. It would look at ways to prevent such tragedies.
The state government announced Rs 5 lakh for the families of those killed. Fadnavis added that the company has been directed to give financial help to every family as well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the blast “deeply distressing”. He said the local administration is helping those affected, and announced Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each person who died. The injured will each get Rs 50,000.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan also expressed grief. In a social media post, Murmu offered condolences to bereaved families and prayed for a quick recovery for the injured.
Sources
- Maharashtra: 17 killed, 18 injured in blast at explosives factory in Nagpur
- Maharashtra: 17 Killed, 18 Injured in Nagpur Factory Explosion
