An unfortunate explosion occurred at the SECL Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Chhattisgarh, on Monday afternoon, resulting in injuries to three mine workers, two of whom are female. The incident happened around 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM as a team of miners was preparing for a routine controlled blast by placing explosives. According to company sources, the blast occurred unexpectedly as the workers were moving away from the immediate blast zone. The force of the detonation caused rock fragments to scatter, striking the workers and impacting vehicles. The injured were promptly taken to SECL’s Kurasia hospital for medical attention. They are reported to have sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition, with prognoses for a swift recovery. An investigation into the cause of the blast has commenced, with initial theories suggesting a technical defect may have triggered the premature explosion. The mine’s operations have been paused for safety inspections and a comprehensive review of protocols.
