Maharashtra | 8 killed in ordnance factory blast
Maharashtra CM says besides district administration, SDRF and Nagpur Municipal Corporation teams have been called to rescue the other trapped workers
Eight persons were killed after a blast at the ordnance factory in Maharashtra's Bhandara district on Friday, Union minister Nitin Gadkari said.
“As per preliminary information, seven persons have been injured in the blast,” Gadkari told reporters.
A senior district official said the blast caused the roof of the unit to collapse. Search and rescue efforts were underway at the site, he said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said that 13 to 14 workers were stuck at the site.
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Fadnavis said that the District Collector and Superintendent of Police are at the scene and all kinds of assistance was being provided.
“SDRF and Nagpur Municipal Corporation teams have also been called for rescue operations and they will reach soon. The district administration is involved in the rescue operations in coordination with the defense forces. Teams have also been kept ready for medical assistance. According to the preliminary information received so far, unfortunately one worker has died in this incident. I pay my heartfelt tributes to him. We share the grief of his family. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he posted.
Earlier it was reported that at least six workers are feared dead in the explosion.
Blast heard from a distance
District collector Sanjay Kolte said the explosion occurred around 10.30 am on the premises of the factory.
Fire brigade, police and local disaster teams were at the scene, a police officer told PTI.
He said the explosion occurred in the LTP section of the factory situated in the Jawahar Nagar area.
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The officer said there were 14 employees working in the section at the time of the blast, of whom three were rescued alive and one was dead.
The blast was of such an intensity that it was heard from 5 km away. A thick smoke was seen rising from the factory in a video captured from a distance. Efforts to assist survivors are underway, with more details expected to follow, said PRO Defence Nagpur.
