Seventeen people are reported to have been killed, with 18 others injured in an explosion at an explosives factory in Maharashtra's Nagpur district this morning. The blast took place at the SBL Energy Limited factory, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturer, at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil of Nagpur district, a senior police official said.
The bodies were charred beyond recognition, and samples of the family members were being taken for DNA testing to ascertain the identities of the deceased. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Nagpur immediately after the blast, the police said.
Probe ordered —
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion. Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with officials from Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and Defence Information System for Security (DISS), were at the site and rescue operations were being carried out on a war footing, Fadnavis said.
District Collector Vipin Itankar and Superintendent of Police Harrsh Podar were at the spot.
Representatives of SBL Energy Limited informed that the incident occurred at the company's detonator packing unit between 7 am and 7.15 am.
"The incident occurred in the packing area of the facility, where no active manufacturing operations were underway at the time. The exact cause remains under investigation, and we are cooperating fully with the concerned authorities," the company said in a statement.
An internal review has been initiated, and appropriate corrective and preventive measures will be implemented based on the findings of the investigation, it said.
The company said it is their immediate priority is to ensure all necessary assistance to the affected employees and their families. In coordination with local authorities, the company is extending immediate financial assistance and bearing the full cost of medical treatment for the injured, it added.
Emergency response protocols were activated immediately, and the situation was under control, it said.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident at our facility in Katol, Nagpur district, and extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives," the company said.
"We remain committed to the highest standards of safety and transparency. Further updates will be shared as verified information becomes available," it added.
CM Fadnavis said he is in constant touch with the local administration.
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