Nagpur

The death count from the explosion at an explosives manufacturing unit in Nagpur rose to 19 on Monday after another injured worker succumbed, police officials said.

As many as 23 other workers who sustained injuries in the blast are currently receiving treatment at hospitals in the city. The incident occurred on Sunday at the detonator packing section of SBL Energy Limited, located at Raulgaon in Katol tehsil of Nagpur district.

Police said several of the victims’ bodies were severely charred, making identification difficult. DNA samples of family members are being collected to establish the identities of the deceased.

Meanwhile, a high-level review meeting chaired by Nagpur Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule was held at the divisional commissioner’s office to assess the situation and coordinate the response. Senior officials from various departments, along with local legislators and other representatives, attended the meeting.

In connection with the incident, the Kalmeshwar Police Station has arrested nine directors of the company. A case has been registered against 21 directors and shareholders under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, officials said.

The factory, which manufactures mining and industrial explosives, witnessed the explosion during routine operations on Sunday morning. Authorities are probing possible lapses in safety protocols.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed officials to conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the blast and to fix responsibility.