9 killed in blast at explosives manufacturing factory in Nagpur

Mumbai: At least nine labourers were killed in an explosive blast at Solar Industries at Bazargaon in Nagpur district on Sunday morning. The incident occurred while packing explosives for coal blasting. Maharashtra government has announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for kin of the deceased. The death toll may increase as several more were injured in the incident.

The blast occurred at around 8:30 am at Solar Industries India factory, which produces a range of products for the defence sector like industrial and military explosives, as well as propellants and warheads.

According to the police, workers were packaging defence products at a cast booster plant of the firm when the blast occurred. “This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company,” Harsh Poddar, Superintendent of Police, Nagpur (Rural) said.

Nagpur District collector Vipin Itankar said that since the factory was into manufacturing explosives and drones, the administration had to follow several safety protocols to avoid any accidents with rescue teams. “We will be studying the CCTV footage, forensic study will be carried out and detailed examination will be undertaken after which exact cause will be identified,” he said.

The bomb disposal squads were called to the spot to clear the factory area from other explosives.

Soon after the explosions, nearly 200 people, including residents and relatives of the workers, gathered outside the factory’s entrance gate and demanded entry in the factory. The angry locals and relatives of workers also blocked a highway near the factory. The protesting people were demanding entry inside the premises to see the bodies. However, the protesters were later dispersed by the police.

Expressing condolences to the deceased and their families, chief minister Eknath Shinde announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of those who died in the incident. “The chief minister has also given instructions to authorities to provide timely and quality treatment to the injured in this unfortunate incident,” the Chief Minister’s office said.

Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also expressed grief and described the tragedy as unfortunate. “It is very unfortunate that nine people including six women died in the explosion at Solar Industries in Nagpur. It is a company that manufactures drones and explosives for the defence forces. Nagpur Collector and Superintendent of Police are in constant touch and the IG, SP, and Collector are at the spot. The state government will give assistance of Rs five lakh to the kin of those who died in this incident,” he said.

It was reported that a worker died and two were injured in a fire while disposing of waste material in the burning area of Solar Industries in August this year.