17 Killed in Nagpur Explosives Factory Blast
Explosion at SBL Energy Unit Triggers Fire, Rescue Ops Underway
- Blast at detonator packing unit in Raulgaon village
- 17 dead, 18 injured; NDRF and fire teams at site
- PM announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for kin of deceased
- Probe by PESO and district authorities underway
GG News Bureau
Nagpur, 1st March: At least 17 people were killed and 18 others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an industrial explosives factory in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district early Sunday, officials said.
The blast occurred around 7 a.m. at the premises of SBL Energy Limited, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturing firm, located in Raulgaon village of Katol tehsil. Labourers were working inside the detonator packing unit when the explosion took place without warning.
A portion of the unit collapsed following the impact, triggering a fire that spread to vehicles parked within the compound. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising high into the sky, while the sound of the explosion was reportedly heard across nearby villages.
Local residents, fire brigade teams, district emergency services and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rushed to the spot to conduct rescue operations. Several workers with critical injuries were shifted to hospitals in Nagpur for treatment. Authorities are continuing efforts to evacuate those feared trapped under the debris.
Preliminary reports indicate that many of the workers were from nearby villages. The identities of the deceased were yet to be officially released.
Officials from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) have reached the site and will investigate the cause of the blast. “The cause of explosion will be looked into after rescue operations are over,” an official said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences, with the Prime Minister’s Office stating that ₹2 lakh would be provided from the PM’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured would receive ₹50,000.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the accident “extremely unfortunate and tragic” and said the government is closely monitoring the situation along with district authorities and rescue teams.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly explosion.
