At least eight people were killed and 64 injured, many of them seriously, in a massive explosion at a chemical factory in the Dombivli MIDC complex on Thursday afternoon.
So far-reaching was the impact of the blast that workers in four neighbouring factories were also injured. Windows of residential buildings nearby were shattered.
The blast took place in Amudan Chemicals Pvt Ltd, which manufactures basic chemicals.
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde also visited the fire spot and spoke to the reporters about the incident.
Its director, Malay Mehta, has been summoned by the police for questioning. "The impact was so great that we could hear the sound two kilometres away from the factory," said Sachin Rane, a local resident.
Plumes of smoke and fire spewed high in the sky and there was devastation. Other factories which suffered damage included Omega Fine, Saptavarne, Deccan Colour & Chemicals Pvt Ltd and Cosmo Co.
Tehsildar Sachin Tejale told the FPJ that around 1.30pm, an ear-splitting sound was heard, triggering panic throughout Phase II of the MIDC complex. Apparently, the blast occurred in the chemical reactor of the factory because of overheating. According to the chief of the Thane Disaster Management Cell, Yasin Tadvi, the situation was complicated, with the explosion having ripped through neighbouring chemical factories in a few minutes.
The local fire brigade was ill-equipped to handle the disaster and had to summon fire tenders from Navi Mumbai, Bhiwandi, Kalyan and other places. Sources said the managements of several industries in the area have been objecting to regular inspection of the boilers and other equipment; as a result, hazardous work was carried on without any external audit.
However, this was denied by the secretary of Kalyan Ambernath Manufacturers Association, Amol Yeole. We are complying with all the rules and regulations, he emphasised.
The injured were rushed by the fire brigade and police to nearby hospitals like Neptune, Mamata, Aurindam, Gajanan, AIMS, Ashirwad, Shivam, Icon and Shastri Nagar government hospitals.
The fire brigade fears that more people may be trapped under the debris.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that initially, six people had died in the incident. Six people have been killed and 48 injured in the fire that broke out in Dombivli, near Mumbai.
NDRF, SDRF and TDRF teams are working together to control the fire and efforts are being made to prevent the fire from spreading further, he added. But, later the number of fatalities increased.
The MIDC Fire Brigade chief said 15 fire tenders andseveral water tankers were pressed into service to control the fire and carry out cooling operations.
Earlier, on the microblogging site X, Fadnavis said, "The incident of explosion at Amudan Chemical Company in Dombivli MIDC is tragic."
"Arrangements have been made to treat the injured and more ambulances have been kept ready. I have discussed with the Collector and he is also reaching the spot within 10 minutes. Teams of NDRF, TDRF, fire brigade have been called, Fadnavis said.
