At least 13 workers were killed and 40 others injured on Saturday, when a major explosion rocked a chemical factory at Waghadi village in Shirpur taluka of Dhule district in north Maharashtra.
The toll may go up further, as at least 12 others were reported missing till late in the evening and the condition of nine of the injured was described as “critical”.
Nearly workers were present inside Rumit International’s Rumit Chemisynth factory at Wagadi village located on the outskirts of the taluka town of Shirpur at around 9.45 am.
So massive was the explosion that its sound could be heard people in at least 15 kilometre radius of the chemical unit.
There were conflicting versions as to the cause of the explosion. While one version said that the explosion took place due a short-circuit in the boiler unit, the version said that there were multiple cylinder blasts that led that contributed to the massive explosion in the chemical factory.
The local fire brigade and NDRF personnel, who that reached the shortly afterwards, brought the situation under the control later in the afternoon.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over loss of lives in explosion at chemical factory near Shirpur in Dhule district. “Guardian Minister, Collector, SP on spot. SDRF team reached too and now fire is under control,” a tweet put out by the chief minister’s office said.
The chief minister announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those killed in the mishap.
Mourning the deaths in the blast, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted: “Anguished to learn about the loss of lives due to explosion at a chemical factory in Dhule, Maharashtra. Have spoken to CM @Dev_Fadnavis, state govt is doing everything possible to assist the people in need. My condolences with the bereaved families. May injured recover soon”.
Expressing deep anguish over the loss of lives in the chemical factory explosion near Shirpur, Maharashtra Governor CH Vidyasagar Rao said: “I was extremely saddened to know that some workers have lost their lives and many others have been injured in an explosion a chemical factory in Shirpur in Dhule district, earlier today.
“I send my heartfelt condolences to the next of those who lost their lives and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Governor said.
Describing the mishap as “unfortunate”, leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly Vijay Wadettiwar demanded that a high-level inquiry be ordered and those responsible for the explosion be booked for negligence leading to the mishap. He also demanded the next of kin of those killed in the mishap be given a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each, while Rs 2 lakh each be given as compensation to those seriously injured in the mishap.