Three Injured in Chhattisgarh SECL Coal Mine Explosion

Tragedy struck a coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district on Monday, when an explosion injured three workers, two of whom are women. The blast occurred at the Chirmiri open cast mine operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL). Sources indicate the incident happened during preparations for a scheduled blasting operation, involving a team laying explosives. The explosion reportedly happened suddenly as the blasting gang was returning to safety. The force of the blast sent rock fragments flying, injuring the workers and impacting vehicles in the vicinity. All injured individuals were immediately taken to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia for treatment. They are currently in stable condition and are expected to be released shortly. Preliminary findings point towards a possible technical issue leading to the premature detonation. SECL has initiated a thorough investigation to pinpoint the exact cause, considering factors such as faulty equipment, procedural flaws, or human error. Safety assessments are being conducted, leading to a temporary halt in mining operations. The company and district administration are collaborating to enhance safety measures and prevent similar accidents.