Tragedy struck Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district on Monday when an explosion rocked an open-cast coal mine operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). Three workers, two of whom are women, sustained injuries during the incident, which took place during preparations for a scheduled blasting operation at the Chirmiri mine. The explosion reportedly occurred between 2 pm and 3 pm.
A team of seven to eight workers was reportedly in the process of placing explosives on the coal seam when the blast erupted prematurely. Debris from the explosion scattered across the area, impacting workers and nearby machinery. The injured were quickly taken to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia for medical attention.
Officials confirmed that the injured workers suffered only minor injuries and are in stable condition. They are expected to be released from the hospital shortly. SECL has launched a thorough investigation into the blast, with preliminary assessments suggesting a potential technical issue as the likely cause. However, the probe will meticulously review all potential factors, including equipment integrity and operational procedures.
The mine site has been secured, and all operations have been temporarily halted to facilitate safety checks and the ongoing investigation. Efforts are underway to ensure enhanced safety protocols are implemented to avert similar occurrences in the future.