Safety concerns are once again in the spotlight following an explosion at an open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district on Monday. Three workers, two of them women, sustained injuries when a blast occurred at SECL’s Chirmiri mine. The incident took place while a team was preparing for a planned detonation, a process involving laying explosives on the coal bed.
The explosion reportedly occurred prematurely, propelling rock fragments that injured the workers and affected vehicles. The injured were swiftly taken to the Kurasia hospital, a facility managed by SECL, where they are receiving care and are reported to be in stable condition. Initial indications suggest a technical issue may have triggered the blast, but officials are conducting a thorough investigation to confirm the cause. This includes scrutinizing equipment, operational procedures, and any possible human factors. The affected mine area has been secured, and all operations have been temporarily suspended to conduct necessary safety audits and ensure the well-being of the workforce.