An explosion at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district has resulted in injuries to three workers, including two women. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon as workers were preparing for a routine blasting operation. Preliminary reports suggest a team of seven to eight individuals was engaged in laying explosives on the coal bed when a sudden, premature blast took place. Rock fragments from the explosion struck workers and nearby vehicles.
The injured were promptly transported to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri, where they are reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment for minor injuries. They are expected to be discharged soon. Officials suspect a technical fault may have caused the premature detonation, though the exact cause remains under investigation. An internal probe has been initiated to thoroughly examine the incident, considering possibilities of equipment malfunction, procedural errors, or human error. The mine site has been secured, and operations have been temporarily suspended pending safety assessments. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in mining operations and underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols.
