At least nine persons were killed and three others were injured following a blast in an explosives factory in Nagpur district of Maharashtra on Sunday.
The blasts took place at around 9:00 am in the cast booster unit of Solar Industries in Bazaargaon area on the Amravati-Nagpur Road.
“It is a very unfortunate incident. Necessary relief and help is being extended. Top officials are at the spot,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said on the blast.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that the government stands with the families. “Why the incident took place would be probed thoroughly,” he said.
Fadnavis himself visited the site to review the situation amid protests by workers and their family members.
As soon as reports of the incident came in, Nagpur Collector Dr. Vipin Itankar and Nagpur-Rural Superintendent of Police Harsh Poddar rushed to the spot for the rescue and relief operations.
The cause of the explosion is not yet known.
The explosives and drones manufactured by Solar Industries are supplied to the Indian armed forces.
The Nagpur district police and administration and Solar Industries has confirmed nine deaths so far.
The Maharashtra government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
The victims include six women and three men.
“It is a very unfortunate incident. Necessary relief and help is being extended. Top officials are at the spot,” CM Shinde said.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, said that the government stands with the families. “Why the incident took place would be probed thoroughly,” he said.
Meanwhile, relatives of workers undertook a sit-in outside the company.
A huge number of police personnel are at the site.
Solar Industries Senior General Manager Ashish Shrivastav was quoted saying that the incident occurred in the building where boosters used in coal mines are produced. The blast took place while the products were being sealed. “Relief is being extended,” he said.
The nine deceased have been identified as Yuvraj Charode, Omeshwar Macchirke, Mita Uikey, Aarti Sahare, Swetali Marbate, Pushpa Manapure, Bhagyashree Lonare, Rumita Uikey and Mausam Patle.
(Published 17 December 2023, 05:23 IST)