Tragedy struck a coal mine in Manendragarh, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, with an explosion injuring three workers, including two women. The incident occurred at the Chirmiri open cast mine operated by SECL during the process of preparing for a blasting operation. A team responsible for laying explosives encountered an unexpected detonation while returning to a safe distance. The force of the blast caused rock fragments to scatter, leading to injuries among the workers and impacting vehicles. The injured individuals were immediately transferred to the Kurasia regional hospital for medical attention. They are reported to be out of danger and recovering well. While preliminary assessments suggest a technical malfunction as the probable cause, a comprehensive inquiry has been launched by SECL to uncover the definitive reason behind the premature explosion. Site operations have been temporarily halted for safety assessments.
