An alarming incident at SECL’s Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district on Monday afternoon resulted in injuries to three workers, including two women. The explosion happened while a team was actively engaged in setting up explosives for a planned blasting operation.
The blast occurred unexpectedly shortly after the team had finished placing explosives on the coal bed. Flying debris from the detonation struck several workers and vehicles operating within the mine’s open cast area. Emergency services responded swiftly, transporting the injured to the SECL regional hospital located in Kurasia, Chirmiri.
All three injured individuals have been diagnosed with minor injuries and are reported to be in stable condition. Medical professionals anticipate their release in the near future. The initial assessment points towards a possible technical fault as the likely trigger for the premature explosion.
A comprehensive investigation has been launched to determine the precise cause, examining all potential factors from equipment integrity to operational protocols. Safety protocols are under review, and activities at the mine have been paused temporarily. The Manendragarh area is situated around 300 kilometers from Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh.