An explosion at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district on Monday resulted in injuries to three workers, two of whom are women. The blast occurred at a South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) facility during preparations for a scheduled blasting operation. Workers were laying explosives on the coal bed when the explosion happened unexpectedly between 2 pm and 3 pm. The forceful detonation propelled rock fragments, leading to injuries among the workers and impacting nearby vehicles. The injured were quickly transported to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri, for immediate medical attention. Current reports indicate that all three injured workers are in stable condition with minor injuries and are expected to make a full recovery. An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the premature blast, with a technical issue being the initial suspicion. The probe aims to clarify whether the incident stemmed from faulty machinery, operational mistakes, or human negligence. The mine’s operations have been temporarily suspended to allow for a comprehensive safety review and to secure the site.
