Editor's Pick | Nine killed in blast in explosives manufacturing company in Nagpur

At least nine people were killed on Sunday in a powerful blast at Solar Industries India, an explosives manufacturing factory in the rural part of Nagpur district in Maharashtra on Sunday. Three other people were seriously injured in the blast. According to the police, the blast took place at 9 a.m. in a cast booster unit of Solar Industries India Ltd. at Bazaargaon, around 60 km away from Nagpur. “The incident took place during a sieving operation [the explosive raw material is sieved before use] in a building where boosters for use in coal mines are made. Prima facie, nine persons have died following the explosion. The situation is under control. No labourer is currently in the building,” said a senior company official. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the accident site and said that the Maharashtra government had announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh to the nearest kin of the deceased. He also added that the company manufactured drones and explosives for security units. Labourers also gathered near the company gate soon after the explosion, demanding explanation from the company management. They complained about overwork, while some labourers said they were recalled to duty after the completion of their shift on the occasion. The area was later cordoned off by the police. A day after the blast, Opposition leaders on Monday alleged lapses by the company in ensuring the safety of workers and demanded action against Industrial Safety Department officials. The matter was also raised in the Legislative Council. Police have registered a case against unidentified persons in connection with the blast under the Indian Penal Code on the charges of causing death by negligence and negligent conduct with respect to the explosive substance, an official said on Monday. The Hindu’s Editorials New order: On three States and the new BJP governments A cloudy horizon: On trade data The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Who is the sixth accused who was arrested on Saturday over the Parliament security breach incident? Mahesh Kumawat Lalit Jha Amol Shinde Neelam Devi To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 18 December 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Nine killed in blast in explosives manufacturing company in Nagpur At least nine people were killed on Sunday in a powerful blast at Solar Industries India, an explosives manufacturing factory in the rural part of Nagpur district in Maharashtra on Sunday. Three other people were seriously injured in the blast. According to the police, the blast took place at 9 a.m. in a cast booster unit of Solar Industries India Ltd. at Bazaargaon, around 60 km away from Nagpur. “The incident took place during a sieving operation [the explosive raw material is sieved before use] in a building where boosters for use in coal mines are made. Prima facie, nine persons have died following the explosion. The situation is under control. No labourer is currently in the building,” said a senior company official. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the accident site and said that the Maharashtra government had announced an ex gratia of ₹5 lakh to the nearest kin of the deceased. He also added that the company manufactured drones and explosives for security units. Labourers also gathered near the company gate soon after the explosion, demanding explanation from the company management. They complained about overwork, while some labourers said they were recalled to duty after the completion of their shift on the occasion. The area was later cordoned off by the police. A day after the blast, Opposition leaders on Monday alleged lapses by the company in ensuring the safety of workers and demanded action against Industrial Safety Department officials. The matter was also raised in the Legislative Council. Police have registered a case against unidentified persons in connection with the blast under the Indian Penal Code on the charges of causing death by negligence and negligent conduct with respect to the explosive substance, an official said on Monday. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][New order: On three States and the new BJP governments]( [Arrow][A cloudy horizon: On trade data]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Who is the sixth accused who was arrested on Saturday over the Parliament security breach incident? - Mahesh Kumawat - Lalit Jha - Amol Shinde - Neelam Devi To know the answer and to play the full quiz,[click here.]( [Sign up for free]( Today’s Best Reads [[Polluting firms must factor in climate litigation risk, says Dr. Friederike Otto] Polluting firms must factor in climate litigation risk, says Dr. Friederike Otto]( [[What led to the coup attempt in Sierra Leone? | Explained] What led to the coup attempt in Sierra Leone? | Explained]( [[An overview of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act] An overview of the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act]( [[Watch | State polls aftermath | What do BJP’s CM picks for 3 States imply?] Watch | State polls aftermath | What do BJP’s CM picks for 3 States imply?]( Copyright @ 2023, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. 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