Three individuals, comprising two women and one man, sustained injuries following an explosion at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district. The South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) facility experienced the blast on Monday, occurring during a critical phase of preparing for a scheduled detonation. While a team of workers was positioning explosives, the mine site was suddenly engulfed by an explosion. The impact of the blast resulted in flying debris that struck the workers and caused damage to vehicles. The injured were swiftly transported to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, where they are receiving treatment for minor injuries and are expected to make a full recovery. Investigators are exploring the possibility of a technical malfunction as the cause of the premature blast, while also considering other potential factors. An in-depth probe has been launched to ensure the highest safety standards are maintained and to prevent similar accidents in the future. The mine’s operations have been temporarily halted.
