Explosives plant blast, 2nd since '23, kills worker

NAGPUR: An explosion ripped through the RDX crystallisation facility of Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited at Chakdoh-Bazargaon, 40km off Nagpur, killing one worker and injuring at least 25.

The blast at 12.30am Thursday reduced the two-storey unit to rubble, with flames leaping so high they were seen 1.5km away. Shockwaves knocked down earthen blast walls and damaged buildings as far as 2km, including a hotel.


The deceased was identified as Mayur Ganvir, 31, of Chandrapur, who was working in a nearby laboratory. He died instantly when a metal door ripped off its hinge and struck his head. Doctors said 17 of the injured were admitted to a Nagpur private hospital, seven in the ICU. "Two are critical," said Dr Dande.

This is the second fatal blast at SDAL, one of India's largest private defence manufacturers, in two years. In Dec 2023, nine workers died handling TNT. Police first filed an accidental death case, later upgrading it to death by negligence against SDAL management.


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