Thane: Eight people were killed and around 60 were injured in a boiler explosion at a chemical company in Dombivli East, Thane district, Maharashtra, on Thursday afternoon.
According to officials from the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), the explosion occurred at Amudan Chemicals Pvt Ltd., located in Phase 2 of the Dombivli MIDC area around 1:40 PM, affecting nearby factories and houses.
The number of casualties and injuries may rise as several workers and residents are still feared trapped. The injured were taken to Neptune Hospital, Global Hospital, and AIMS Hospital in MIDC. The deceased were transported to Shashtri Nagar Hospital, Dombivli (West), and Rukmani Hospital in Kalyan.
Identifying the deceased has been challenging due to disfigurement, with only two identified so far — Riddhi Khanvilkar, 36, and Rohini Kadam, 26.
The explosion was heard up to two kilometers away, shattering windows within a 500-meter radius. A resident reported seeing a smoke cloud billowing from the factory.
4 killed and 4 injured in massive blast at chemical company in Maharashtra's #Dombivli
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A KDMC fire brigade official stated that Amudan, owned by Malay Mehta, manufactures hardeners (chemicals). The initial blast was followed by two to three more explosions, gutting four nearby companies. The impact threw people working in and around Amudan off their feet.
A KDMC fire official aiding the rescue operations mentioned, “Due to the presence of chemicals, there were additional explosions. According to workers, those inside escaped just in time after hearing the initial blast.” Metal objects were flung up to 500 meters from the explosion site.
Namdeo Chaudhari, Chief Fire Officer, KDMC, said the fire was reported around 1:30 PM and spread quickly due to the chemicals. KDMC deployed 12 fire engines, 16 water tankers, and 50 foam drums for the rescue.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed condolences and stated that all assistance is being provided to the injured, who are being treated at AIMS, Neptune, and Global hospitals. Rescue teams from NDRF, TDRF, and the fire brigade were deployed.
The explosion’s cause is still unknown and will be investigated after the rescue operation. In 2016, a similar explosion in Dombivli MIDC killed 12 people. Maharashtra Industries Minister Uday Samant indicated that preliminary information suggests those killed were working in neighboring factories. The boiler was not registered under the India Boiler Regulations, 1950.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde termed the incident “horrible” and noted that more people might be trapped. The government plans to categorize industries based on hazard levels and shut down the most hazardous units, offering them relocation or category change options.
The CM announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and assured that the injured’s medical expenses will be covered by the government. A detailed inquiry will be conducted to determine the explosion’s cause. Shinde also mentioned that those responsible would face action, with potential charges of culpable homicide. He visited the hospital to check on the injured.