Premature Blast Injures Workers at Chhattisgarh Coal Mine

An unexpected explosion at a South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district has resulted in injuries to three workers. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at the Chirmiri open cast mine during preparations for a blasting operation. A team of workers, including two women, was engaged in placing explosives when the blast happened prematurely. The force of the explosion caused debris to scatter, striking the workers and nearby machinery. All injured individuals were immediately transported to the SECL hospital in Kurasia. They are reported to be in stable condition with minor injuries and are expected to recover fully. SECL officials suspect a technical malfunction as the probable cause, though a formal investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances. The inquiry will examine all potential factors, including equipment integrity and operational procedures. The mine has temporarily ceased operations while safety evaluations are conducted, reinforcing the commitment to worker safety.