THREE workers were killed and several others injured in a powerful explosion at a factory in Bendri under the Urla police station limits on Tuesday. Rescue operations continued for several hours after the blast as police and emergency teams secured the area and shifted the injured to hospitals. According to preliminary information, two workers, Lal Singh and Arun Pandey, died on the spot, while another injured worker, Kamal Singh, succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital. Police identified Kamal Singh and Lal Singh as residents of Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh. The third deceased, Arun Pandey, was a resident of JanjgirChampa district in Chhattisgarh. The explosion triggered panic inside the factory, with workers rushing towards the exits to save themselves.

 

Eyewitnesses said the blast was so powerful that it was heard in nearby areas, while several workers inside the factory were caught in the blast. Senior police officials and personnel from Urla Police reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incident. Rescue teams evacuated the injured from the factory and shifted them to nearby hospitals for treatment. Security was tightened around the premises following the explosion. Preliminary reports indicate that the blast may have been caused by the rupture of an oxygen cylinder. However, officials said the exact cause will be determined only after a detailed technical investigation. Teams from the police, district administration and other concerned departments have launched an inquiry into the incident. Authorities are assessing the extent of the damage and investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal explosion.