Mine Blast in Chhattisgarh: 3 Workers Hurt, Investigation Underway

Tragedy struck at South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) Chirmiri open cast mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district on Monday, when an explosion injured three workers, including two women. The blast occurred between 2 pm and 3 pm while workers were engaged in the critical process of preparing for a scheduled blasting operation. Reports indicate that a team was laying explosives on the coal seam when the detonation occurred unexpectedly. The sudden force of the explosion sent debris flying, impacting workers and machinery. The injured individuals were quickly moved to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia for immediate medical attention. They are reported to be stable and out of danger, with minor injuries. SECL officials are investigating the incident, with initial indications pointing towards a possible technical issue leading to the premature blast. The company’s safety department and district administration have been notified, and a thorough probe is in progress to ascertain the precise cause and implement preventative measures. Operations at the mine have been temporarily paused pending safety evaluations.