Tragedy struck an open cast coal mine in Manendragarh, Chhattisgarh, on Monday, when an explosion injured three workers, two of them women. The incident took place at the Chirmiri mine, operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), during a routine blasting preparation. Reports indicate that a team of workers was setting explosives on the coal bed around 2 to 3 pm. The blast occurred unexpectedly as the team was moving away from the site. Flying rock fragments from the explosion struck the workers and damaged nearby vehicles. The injured were immediately taken to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri. They are reported to have sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition, with doctors expecting their release soon. SECL has launched a comprehensive investigation into the explosion, suspecting a technical fault as the primary cause. The probe aims to identify any lapses in equipment, procedures, or human action. The mine’s operations have been temporarily suspended to allow for safety checks and a review of existing safety measures. This incident occurred in the Manendragarh region, about 300 km from Raipur.
