At least 17 people were killed and 18 others injured in a blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district on Sunday.
The blast occurred at the SBL Energy Limited factory, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturer located at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil, under the Nagpur Rural police jurisdiction. The impact of the explosion was severe, causing significant casualties and extensive damage at the site. The injured were immediately shifted to hospitals in Nagpur for treatment.
Superintendent of Police (Nagpur Rural) Harssh Poddar confirmed the casualties and said that the exact cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained. Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, with emergency teams working to clear debris and assist those affected.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced financial assistance for the victims from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said, “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. 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.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the incident as “extremely unfortunate and tragic” and said he was in constant touch with the local administration.
“The incident of the explosion at an explosives factory in Raulgaon in Nagpur district is extremely unfortunate and tragic. I am in constant contact with the local administration. The District Collector and Superintendent of Police reached the incident site immediately. NDRF and SDRF teams are also at the site. Teams from PESO and DISH have arrived. Rescue operations have been accelerated, and so far, 17 people have lost their lives. I pay heartfelt tribute to the deceased. We share in the grief of their families,” he said on X.
The Chief Minister added that 18 injured persons have been shifted to Nagpur for treatment and prayed for their swift recovery. He also ordered a thorough investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances leading to the explosion.
Fadnavis announced that the Maharashtra government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, apart from the state compensation, the company concerned will also extend financial assistance to the families of the victims.
(With IANS inputs)
