An alarming incident occurred at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district on Monday, resulting in injuries to three workers, two of whom are women. The explosion happened around 2-3 pm during the crucial stage of preparing for a routine blasting operation. A team was reportedly in the process of placing explosives when an unforeseen detonation occurred.
The blast caused immediate disruption, with fragments hitting workers and vehicles operating in the area. The injured were swiftly taken to SECL’s Kurasia hospital for treatment. All three are reported to have suffered minor injuries and are currently stable, with doctors expecting them to be discharged shortly. The incident involved a group of seven to eight workers engaged in the explosive laying process.
While a technical error is the suspected cause of the premature blast, a full investigation has been launched. This inquiry aims to pinpoint the exact reason, whether it involves equipment failure, procedural errors, or human oversight. The mine’s operations have been temporarily halted as a safety assessment is conducted and preventative measures are reinforced.