Tragedy struck Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh region on Monday when an explosion occurred at a South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) coal mine, injuring three workers. The blast happened at the Chirmiri open cast mine while a crew was setting up for a scheduled blasting operation. A team of approximately seven to eight workers, which included two women, was in the process of placing explosives on the coal seam. The explosion, which happened unexpectedly as the team was moving to a safe zone, sent debris flying. This debris struck the workers and nearby vehicles. The injured miners were quickly taken to the SECL hospital in Kurasia for immediate medical attention. Authorities have confirmed the injured workers are in stable condition and are not facing life-threatening complications. Initial assessments point towards a possible technical issue leading to the blast. An in-depth inquiry has been initiated by SECL and the district administration to ascertain the definitive cause, reviewing all safety protocols and equipment. The mine’s operations have been paused while a safety review is conducted.
