At least 17 persons were killed and 18 others injured in a powerful blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district on Sunday morning, police officials said, reported news agency PTI.
The incident occurred at SBL Energy Limited’s facility in Raulgaon, located in Katol tehsil. According to initial reports, the explosion took place at the company’s detonator packing unit between 7:00 am and 7:15 am, reported PTI.
Authorities said the intensity of the blast caused significant casualties, with several workers present at the unit at the time.
Rescue operations launched, NDRF deployed
Emergency response teams, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), were rushed to the site to carry out rescue and relief operations. Efforts were underway to search for survivors and ensure the area is secured, reported PTI.
Local administration officials, including District Collector Vipin Itankar and Superintendent of Police Harrsh Podar, reached the spot to oversee the rescue operations.
Injured shifted to hospitals in Nagpur
The 18 injured persons were immediately rushed to hospitals in Nagpur for treatment. Officials said some of the injured are in critical condition, though detailed medical updates are awaited, reported PTI.
Authorities are working to identify the deceased and inform their families, while ensuring medical support for those injured.
Company yet to issue detailed statement
Representatives of SBL Energy Limited confirmed the location and timing of the blast and said a detailed statement will be issued after preliminary assessment, reported PTI.
The cause of the explosion is yet to be determined, and investigations will be conducted to ascertain whether safety protocols were followed at the facility.
The incident comes just a day after a similar explosion at a cracker unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district, which claimed 21 lives, raising fresh concerns over industrial safety standards.
PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for families of Nagpur factory blast victims
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in a blast at an explosives factory in Maharashtra`s Nagpur and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister`s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
“The explosion at a factory in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is deeply distressing. My condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is assisting those affected,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the PM said.
(With inputs from PTI)
