An explosion at an 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 at South Eastern Coalfields Limited’s (SECL) Chirmiri mine on Monday afternoon as workers were preparing for a routine blasting operation. Initial reports indicate that a team of seven to eight workers was in the process of laying explosives on the coal bed when the blast took place unexpectedly. The premature explosion sent rock fragments flying, impacting workers and vehicles in the vicinity. All injured individuals sustained minor wounds and were promptly transported to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia. They are reported to be in stable condition and expected to be discharged shortly. A preliminary assessment suggests a potential technical fault as the cause, though a thorough investigation is underway to ascertain the exact circumstances. The company has initiated an internal probe, examining equipment, procedures, and potential human error. Operations at the mine have been temporarily suspended for safety assessments, and authorities are reviewing preventative measures to avoid future accidents in the region, located approximately 300 kilometers from the state capital, Raipur.
