Safety concerns have been raised following an explosion at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district. Three mine workers, two of them women, sustained injuries during a blasting preparation on Monday. The incident took place at a South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) site.
Reports indicate that a team was preparing for a routine detonation when the blast occurred unexpectedly. The force of the explosion caused debris to scatter, striking the workers. They were promptly evacuated and are currently receiving medical attention at the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri. Their condition is reported as stable, with no life-threatening injuries.
SECL is investigating the incident, with a preliminary focus on a potential technical fault as the cause of the premature explosion. The investigation will delve into equipment integrity, adherence to safety procedures, and potential human factors. Operations at the Chirmiri mine have been temporarily halted to ensure a comprehensive safety assessment. The company and district administration are reviewing safety measures to prevent recurrence in this mining region, located approximately 300 kilometers from the state capital.