May 23: A boiler exploded at Amudan Chemicals Company, a factory located in Dombivli, Thane district of Maharashtra. According to the reports, around 8 people were killed and 56 were left severely injured after the explosion happened around 1.40 p.m.
The factory is located in the MIDC area, Phase II, in the Dombivli region of Thane District, Maharashtra. Day shift workers were trapped inside the premises, and the exact number of people is still unknown. Witnesses reported hearing three blasts at the factory.
A witness mentioned that the blast was so loud it shattered the windows of the nearby houses and was heard from a kilometer away. “Glass windows of adjoining buildings suffered cracks as a result of the blast, “he added.
Yasin Tadvi, Chief of the Disaster Management Cell of Thane civic body, said, “Five men and two women were killed in the incident but their bodies were charred beyond recognition.”
ANI tweeted a video of the blast on X : Watch
Emergency Response by NDRF, TDRF, and Fire Department at the boiler explosion accident at the factory in Dombivli
NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) and TDRF (Thane Disaster Response Force) teams were called for damage control and rescue operations and the injured workers were sent to Neptune Hospital and AIMS Hospital in the local region. The fire department deployed 15 engines to control the blaze, estimating that it would take four hours to extinguish completely.
Uday Samant, Minister of Industries, mentioned that the chemical factory was not in operation for the last couple of months and had resumed operations just a few days back.
Dr. Nikhil Patil, present during the rescue operations stated, “We are waiting for more people to be rescued. The workers on the day shift were inside the factory when the explosion occurred. It is unknown how many people are stuck inside.
“I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured,” : Devendra Fadanvis (Deputy CM Maharashtra)
My deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones,” said Deputy CM Devendra Fadanvis on X. Arrangements have been made to treat the injured and more ambulances have been kept ready, he added.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde stated that the government will cover the treatment cost of the injured workers and also mentioned that the chemical factories will be relocated due to the potential risks, and ordered the closing of red-category units.