Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur

Nagpur, Mar 1: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the explosion at an explosives factory in Raulgaon in Nagpur district.

According to the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office, apart from the state compensation, the company concerned will also extend financial support to the families of the deceased.

Describing the incident as “extremely unfortunate and tragic,” Fadnavis confirmed that 17 people were killed and 18 others sustained injuries in the blast at SBL Energy Limited, which falls under the Nagpur Rural police jurisdiction.

“I am in constant contact with the local administration. The District Collector and Superintendent of Police reached the site immediately. NDRF and SDRF teams are at the spot. Teams from PESO and DISH have also arrived. Rescue operations have been accelerated,” the Chief Minister said in a post on X, paying heartfelt tribute to the deceased and expressing solidarity with their families.

He said the injured were promptly shifted to hospitals in Nagpur and prayed for their speedy recovery.

Superintendent of Police (Nagpur Rural) Harssh Poddar confirmed the casualties and stated that the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The exact cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained.

An eyewitness told ANI that locals tried to rescue as many people as possible. “I tried to pull out as many people as I could. We put them in our own cars to rescue them,” he said.