(PTI): Nine people were killed and three others seriously injured in a blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Chakdoh in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district on Sunday, police said.
It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the armed forces.
In a statement, Ashish Srivastava, senior general manager of Solar Industries India Limited, said, “A tragic incident occurred at 9am in building number HR-CPCH-2 (Mixing, Melting and Casting) in which nine workers lost their lives.”
Angry locals and relatives of workers blocked the Amravati-Nagpur highway running along the site of the explosives manufacturing unit, with may shouting slogans and demanding access to the premises so that they could see the bodies of their loved ones.
A mob of around 200 persons also stood outside the gate, while police tried to pacify they and asked them disperse.
A senior police official told PTI that there were explosives near the spot and the process of securing the explosives was underway and, thereafter, the bodies will be recovered, a police official said.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of the dead, while the amount from the company would be Rs 20 lakh each.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who visited the spot, said Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had ordered an inquiry into the incident.
Senior Congressman and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar questioned the safety norms and wanted to know details of the training given to the deceased and their skill sets.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Srivastava said the incident occurred in the building where boosters used in coal mines are produced. It took place when sealing work of the product was going on, he added.
“Nine people have died. The injured workers have been rushed to hospital. All the workers have been evacuated from the building,” he added.
A Kondhali police station official said 12 persons were present in the unit when the incident took place.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our LinkedIn, Twitter & Facebook
