20 killed, 15 critical in Nagpur explosives factory blast
Explosion rips through detonator packing unit in Raulgaon, Katol tehsil, with 35-odd people inside; injured rushed to hospital, NDRF on site
At least 20 people were killed and 15 critically injured in a blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district on Sunday (March 1) morning.
The blast took place at the SBL Energy Limited factory, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturer, at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil, a senior police official told reporters.
A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reached the site to carry out the rescue operations.
Early-morning tragedy
Representatives of SBL Energy Limited told news agency PTI that the incident occurred at the company’s detonator packing unit between 7 am and 7.15 am.
However, the Hindustan Times quoted the district administration as reporting the time of the blast as 6.45 am, shortly after the morning shift began at 6 am.
Also read: 21 killed as blast rips through fireworks factory in Kakinada
Around 35 workers and two supervisory officials were reportedly inside when the blast ripped through the unit.
Injured hospitalised at once
Rescue operations were underway, a company official said, adding that they will release a statement soon.
The injured were shifted to a hospital in Nagpur immediately after the blast, the police said.
District Collector Vipin Itankar and Superintendent of Police Harrsh Podar were at the spot.
The incident comes a day after a blast at a cracker unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district claimed 21 lives.
(With agency inputs)