Nagpur, 04 Sep

(HS): A powerful explosion occurred at Solar Explosive Group’s

defence-cum-commercial explosives factory at Bazargaon, about 40 km from Nagpur

on Amravati Road. The explosion happened around 12.30 in the night separating

Wednesday and Thursday.

According to

preliminary reports, one worker died, four are being treated in the Intensive Care

Unit, and nine others are hospitalised.

A fire was

reported just before the blast inside the plant, which gave workers enough time

to evacuate. However, some workers were critically injured in the blast, which

could be heard by adjoining villagers. The blast also shattered the window panes of

some houses. The injured were rushed to a private hospital in Nagpur.

Solar Explosives

is one of the largest private manufacturers of explosives in the country. The

company is a leading supplier of high-energy material and ammunition to the

armed forces.

A large number

of police force was deployed at the factory gates as the crowd, including

family members of the workers, thronged the gates late into the night

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar