Major explosion in Gujarat chemical factory kills 5 workers, injures 40

Five workers were killed and nearly 40 injured after a boiler in an agro-chemical factory exploded in Dahej in Bharuch district of Gujarat on Wednesday (June 3).

“So far we have confirmed the death of five workers. Some bodies were recovered from the factory, while others died in hospitals. (Rescue) operation is still underway,” said Bharuch Superintendent of Police RV Chudasama

Ealier Collector MD Modia said the fire had engulfed the unit in the special economic zone in Dahej and residents of Lakhi and Luvara villages located near the factory were being evacuated as a precautionary measure due to the presence of poisonous chemicals near the factory.

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The explosion was tremendous that some people in the neighbouring Bhavnagar district too could hear it, The Times of India reported. Around 15 fire tenders rushed to spot to douse the flame, the report added.

The mishap comes a month after a gas leakage at the LG Polymers plant Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam on May 7 that claimed 12 lives and injured over 500. Styrene vapour leaked from tanks in the unit that had been left idle for several weeks due to the COVID-19 lockdown.