Nagpur, Mar 1 (UNI) At least 17 persons were killed and 18 others injured in a powerful explosion at an explosives manufacturing factory in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district on Sunday morning, the authorities confirmed.
The blast occurred at the SBL Energy Limited factory, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturer, located at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil of the district.
According to officials, the incident took place around 7:15 am in the company’s detonator packing unit, triggering a massive fire and creating panic in nearby areas. Rescue operations have been intensified. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident “extremely unfortunate and tragic.”
He said he is in constant touch with the local administration and that the District Collector and Superintendent of Police rushed to the spot immediately after the blast. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with officials from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), have reached the site and are engaged in rescue and relief operations.
The Chief Minister paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.
He also said the injured were immediately shifted to Nagpur for treatment and prayed for their speedy recovery.
Orders have been issued for a thorough inquiry into the incident. The state government has announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. The concerned company will also provide compensation to the affected families.
