Maharashtra: 17 killed, 18 injured in blast at explosives factory in Nagpur

At least 17 persons were killed and 18 others injured in a powerful blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Maharashtrarsquos Nagpur district on Sunday morning police officials said reported news agency PTIThe incident occurred at SBL Energy Limitedrsquos facility in Raulgaon located in Katol tehsil According to initial reports the explosion took place at the companyrsquos detonator packing unit between 700 am and 715 am reported PTIAuthorities said the intensity of the blast caused significant casualties with several workers present at the unit at the timeRescue operations launched NDRF deployedEmergency response teams including the National Disaster Response Force NDRF were rushed to the site to carry out rescue and relief operations Efforts were underway to search for survivors and ensure the area is secured reported PTILocal administration officials including District Collector Vipin Itankar and Superintendent of Police Harrsh Podar reached the spot to oversee the rescue operationsInjured shifted to hospitals in NagpurThe 18 injured persons were immediately rushed to hospitals in Nagpur for treatment Officials said some of the injured are in critical condition though detailed medical updates are awaited reported PTIAuthorities are working to identify the deceased and inform their families while ensuring medical support for those injuredCompany yet to issue detailed statementRepresentatives of SBL Energy Limited confirmed the location and timing of the blast and said a detailed statement will be issued after preliminary assessment reported PTIThe cause of the explosion is yet to be determined and investigations will be conducted to ascertain whether safety protocols were followed at the facilityThe incident comes just a day after a similar explosion at a cracker unit in Andhra Pradeshrsquos Kakinada district which claimed 21 lives raising fresh concerns over industrial safety standardsPM announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for families of Nagpur factory blast victimsPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday condoled the loss of lives in a blast at an explosives factory in Maharashtras Nagpur and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50000 for the injured from the Prime Ministers National Relief Fund PMNRFThe 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 PM Modi said in a post on XAn exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased The injured would be given Rs 50000 the PM saidWith inputs from PTI