Bureau Prayagraj: 17 people died and 18 were injured in an explosion in a factory in Katol city of Nagpur district of Maharashtra on Sunday. Police officials said that NDRF and SDRF teams are doing relief work on the spot. They said that the blast took place in SBL Energy Limited factory, which manufactures mining and industrial explosives, in Raulgaon of Katol tehsil. Police said that immediately after the blast the injured were admitted to a hospital in Nagpur.

There was an explosion in the factory on Sunday morning. It was so severe that all the contents and debris of the building where the explosion took place fell 500 to 700 meters away. Most of those who died were women. State Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has also instructed the officials to provide immediate help after getting information about the blast. All the injured have been admitted to the hospital and the area has been sealed. No one is allowed to go there.

District Collector and SP have reached the spot. After the explosion, a huge fire broke out on the spot, after continuous efforts of about 4 hours, the fire has been brought under control and hence the rescue operation has also been intensified. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over the incident. He said in his ex-post that this is a very sad incident. NDRF and SDRF teams are on the spot. 17 people have lost their lives. I pay tribute to the dead. 18 people have been injured in this incident. The injured were immediately shifted to Nagpur. “A complete investigation into the incident has been ordered.”