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17 Killed in Nagpur Factory Blast; PM Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia

A severe explosion at the SBL Energy Limited explosives factory in Nagpur district has resulted in at least 17 fatalities and 18 injuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident tragic and stated that rescue operations are being accelerated with NDRF and SDRF teams on site. Authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the blast.

Key Points: Nagpur Factory Blast Kills 17, PM Announces Financial Aid

  • 17 killed in Nagpur factory blast
  • PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for kin
  • 18 injured shifted to hospitals
  • CM Fadnavis orders thorough probe
  • Rescue operations by NDRF teams ongoing
2 min read

17 killed in Nagpur factory blast; PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for kin

A massive explosion at a Nagpur explosives factory kills 17. PM announces ex-gratia, CM Fadnavis orders probe as rescue ops continue.

"The explosion... is deeply distressing. My condolences to the families of the deceased. - PMO"

New Delhi, March 1

At least 17 persons were killed in a massive blast at an explosives factory in Maharashtra's Nagpur district on Sunday, police said. The Prime Minister's Office expressed grief over the tragedy and announced financial assistance for the victims.

In a post on X, the PMO said, "The explosion at a factory in Nagpur, Maharashtra, is deeply distressing. My condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is assisting those affected. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM."

The blast occurred at the SBL Energy Limited factory, a mining and industrial explosives manufacturer, located at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil of Nagpur district. The impact of the explosion was severe, causing significant casualties and injuries. The injured were immediately shifted to hospitals in Nagpur for treatment, police officials said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis termed the incident "extremely unfortunate and tragic". In a post on X, he said, "The incident of the explosion at an explosives factory in Raulgaon in Nagpur district is extremely unfortunate and tragic. I am in constant contact with the local administration. The District Collector and Superintendent of Police have reached the incident site immediately. NDRF and SDRF teams are also at the site. Teams from PESO and DISH have arrived. Rescue operations have been accelerated, and so far, 17 people have lost their lives. I pay heartfelt tribute to the deceased. We share in the grief of their families."

"In this incident, 18 people have been injured. The injured have been promptly shifted to Nagpur. I pray at the feet of God for their swift recovery. Orders have been issued for a thorough investigation into this incident," he added.

Rescue and relief operations are ongoing at the site, with emergency response teams working to clear debris and assess the cause of the blast. Authorities have initiated a detailed probe to determine the circumstances leading to the explosion.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Om Shanti. Such a terrible tragedy. The immediate response from the PM and CM is good, but the focus now must be on the injured and ensuring they get the best medical care. Also, what about long-term support for the families, especially children who lost a parent? The compensation should be just the beginning.
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Aman W
Very sad. I'm from Nagpur and this has shaken the entire city. The factory is in a somewhat remote area, but the blast was reportedly massive. Kudos to the NDRF and local teams for quick action. The investigation must be transparent and hold those responsible for any safety lapses accountable. Jai Maharashtra.
P
Priyanka N
While the financial aid is announced promptly, which is important, we often see these investigations drag on without concrete results. PESO and DISH need to conduct a thorough, time-bound probe. Were safety protocols being followed? This is not the first such incident in an explosives unit. Lessons must be learned, truly.
D
David E
A tragic loss of life. My thoughts are with the victims' families and the injured. The swift deployment of rescue teams is commendable. From a safety engineering perspective, handling explosives requires zero tolerance for error. Hope the investigation leads to stronger preventive measures nationwide.
K
Kavitha C
Heart-wrenching. These are someone's fathers, brothers, husbands... going to work and not coming home. The compensation is a formality. The real tribute would be to ensure no other family has to go through this. Factory inspections need to be surprise checks, not scheduled formalities. Stay strong, Nagpur.

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