Maharashtra: 13 Dead, 58 Injured In Chemical Factory Blast in Dhule District

In a tragic incident which took place in Maharashtra earlier today, at least 13 people are reportedly dead and around 58 injured in a massive fire and blast caused due to multiple gas cylinders exploding at a chemical factory in Dhule district.

Around 100 workers were present in the chemical factory. (Image: ANI)

Mumbai: In a tragic incident which took place in Maharashtra earlier today, at least 13 people are reportedly dead and around 58 injured in a massive fire and blast caused due to multiple gas cylinders exploding at a chemical factory in Dhule district, police said. Around 100 workers were present in the chemical factory, Rumit Chemsynth Pvt Ltd, in Waghadi village in Shirpur taluka when the explosion occurred around 9:45 am, a senior police officer told news agency PTI. The blast was so intense that surrounding villages felt tremors. Several teams of  fire brigade, police and disaster management rushed to the site to conduct rescue operations. Even a team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed at the site. Huge plumes of black smoke engulfed the surrounding area. Authorities fear the smoke could be hazardous and may endanger the lives of people in the area. Rescue operations at the spot is still going on, he said, adding that the fire triggered by the explosion has been brought under control. A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said the fire was under control. Guardian minister, collector, SP and SDRF team were also on the spot, it said. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the loss of lives and has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased.

CM 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.

— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 31, 2019

Home Minster Amit Shah too extended condolences to the bereaved families and informed that he spoke to the Maharashtra CM. Amit Shah assured that the state government is doing everything possible to assist the people in need. "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," he 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.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 31, 2019

The police control room received a call about the explosion at 10.20 am. The injured were rushed to nearby sub-district hospital and later those in critical condition were shifted to private hospitals in the area. Authorities also fear that the death toll is likely to increase. The chemical factory is located in Waghadi village which is around 60 kms away from Dhule and 400 km from Mumbai.