An explosion at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district has resulted in injuries to three workers. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon while a team was preparing for a routine blasting operation. Among the injured are two women, who sustained minor wounds. According to officials, the workers were laying explosives on the coal bed when the blast happened unexpectedly. Rock fragments from the explosion struck the workers and nearby vehicles. All three injured individuals were promptly transported to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri, where they are reportedly stable and receiving treatment. Authorities are investigating the cause, with initial reports suggesting a possible technical fault. An internal probe is underway to ascertain if the premature explosion was due to equipment malfunction, procedural errors, or human error. Operations at the mine have been temporarily suspended for safety assessments. The site has been secured, and preventative measures are being reviewed to avert future incidents.
