.jpeg "Featured Image")
An explosion rocked South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district on Monday, leaving three workers injured. The incident occurred during preparations for a routine blasting operation between 2 pm and 3 pm. A team of seven to eight workers was reportedly laying explosives on the coal bed when the blast took place unexpectedly as they were moving to a safe distance. Flying rock fragments from the explosion caused the injuries to the workers and also damaged vehicles in the vicinity. The injured, including two women, were promptly transported to SECL’s regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri. Officials have stated that all three sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition, with expectations of a swift discharge. A preliminary assessment suggests a possible technical fault may have caused the premature detonation. An internal investigation is now underway to ascertain the precise cause, examining possibilities such as equipment malfunction, procedural errors, or human oversight. The mine site has been secured, and operations are temporarily suspended pending safety evaluations. This unfortunate event underscores the critical importance of safety protocols in mining operations.
