An explosion at an open-cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district has left three workers, including two women, injured. The incident occurred at South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) Chirmiri open cast mine on Monday afternoon. Workers were reportedly preparing for a routine blasting operation when the blast took place between 2 pm and 3 pm. A team of seven to eight workers was in the process of laying explosives on the coal bed prior to detonation. As the blasting gang was moving to a safe location, the explosion occurred unexpectedly. Flying rock fragments from the blast struck workers and nearby vehicles. The injured were swiftly transported to SECL’s regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri. Officials stated that the injured workers sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition, with no life-threatening concerns. They are expected to be released from the hospital shortly. Authorities suspect a technical fault may have caused the premature blast, but an internal investigation is underway to ascertain the precise cause. This probe will examine potential issues with equipment, procedural errors, or human oversight. The mine site has been secured, and operations have been temporarily suspended pending safety evaluations. The company’s safety department and the district administration are collaborating to review safety measures and prevent future incidents.
