Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur
Nagpur, Mar 1: At least 20 persons were killed and around 18 others critically injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an ammunition manufacturing unit at Raulgaon village in Kalmeshwar taluka, about 35 km from Nagpur, on Sunday morning.
According to district authorities, the blast occurred around 6.45 am at SBL Explosives Ltd shortly after the morning shift began at 6 am. Nearly 35 workers, supervised by two officials, were present inside the unit when the explosion triggered massive flames, engulfing the premises within minutes.
The company manufactures industrial explosives, including detonators and explosive cartridges used in mining and infrastructure projects. Fire brigade teams rushed to the spot while Kalmeshwar police launched rescue operations. The injured were shifted to various hospitals in Nagpur for treatment.
“We are engaged in rescue operations, and it is difficult at this stage to confirm the exact number of casualties,” Inspector General of Police Sandip Patil said.
Police, fire brigade personnel and district officials remained on alert amid fears of further explosions. After the area was declared safe, cooling operations were initiated and rescue teams began efforts to extricate those trapped under the debris.
Superintendent of Police Harssh A Poddar said a detailed probe has been launched. “We are ensuring a technical and scientific investigation, with senior officers supervising all operations and subsequent action,” he added.
Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh visited the site and expressed concern over repeated incidents at explosive factories in the region. Referring to earlier blasts, including those at Solar Industries India Limited, he said he had sought a comprehensive safety audit of all such units from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in September last year to prevent such tragedies.
Nearly a dozen explosive manufacturing units operate in the area. In 2023, nine workers were killed in an explosion at one of Solar Industries’ facilities, raising serious questions about safety compliance in the sector.