Nagpur: A massive explosion ripped through the Solar Explosive Company in Bazargaon village of Nagpur, Maharashtra, on Sunday morning, killing at least nine people and injuring several others. The blast occurred around 9 am when workers were packing explosives in the cast booster plant of the company, which supplies ammunition to various industries, including the defense sector.
The impact of the blast was so powerful that it shattered the windows of nearby houses and vehicles, and created a huge crater at the site. The police and fire brigade rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, where the condition of three of them was reported to be critical.
The police have cordoned off the area and are investigating the cause of the blast. Nagpur Rural SP Harsh Poddar said that the explosion was accidental and not a terrorist act. He said that the company had all the necessary licenses and permissions to manufacture and store explosives. He added that more information would be available after the forensic examination of the site.
Additional Superintendent of Police Dr. Sandeep Pakhale said that the explosion posed a serious threat to the lives and property of the people living in the vicinity, as the factory had a huge stockpile of ammunition and chemicals. He said that the exact intensity of the blast was not yet known, but it was estimated to be equivalent to several kilograms of TNT. He said that the dead included six men and three women, who were either employees or contractors of the company.
The Solar Explosive Company is one of the leading manufacturers of industrial and military explosives in India. It has been operating since 1980 and has several plants across the country. It produces a range of products, such as detonators, boosters, emulsion explosives, and propellants. It also exports its products to several countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe.
