An explosion at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh has resulted in injuries to three workers, including two women. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon at a South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) facility in the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district. Workers were engaged in setting up explosives for a planned detonation when the blast occurred prematurely.
The explosion sent rock fragments flying, affecting the workers and machinery present at the site. The injured were immediately taken to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri. Medical updates confirm that all three are stable, suffering from minor injuries, and are expected to make a full recovery shortly.
While initial reports suggest a technical glitch might be responsible for the unintended detonation, a detailed inquiry has been launched. This investigation will meticulously examine all possible causes, including faulty equipment, deviations from standard operating procedures, or human error. The affected area has been secured, and mining operations have been temporarily suspended to allow for a thorough safety review. Authorities are committed to implementing enhanced safety protocols following this incident, which took place roughly 300 kilometers from Raipur.
