An explosion at an open-cast coal mine in Manendragarh, Chhattisgarh, has resulted in injuries to three workers, two of whom are women. The incident occurred at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) on Monday afternoon. Workers were in the process of preparing for a routine blasting operation when the unexpected blast took place. Preliminary reports indicate that a team of seven to eight workers was laying explosives on the coal bed. The explosion happened as the blasting gang was returning to a safe distance for detonation, causing rock fragments to hit nearby workers and vehicles. All three injured individuals sustained minor wounds and were promptly taken to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia. They are reported to be in stable condition and are expected to be discharged shortly. Authorities are investigating the cause of the premature explosion, with a technical fault being the suspected reason. An internal probe is underway to ascertain if faulty equipment, procedural errors, or human mistakes were contributing factors. Operations at the mine have been temporarily suspended for safety assessments, and preventative measures are being reviewed to avoid future accidents. Manendragarh is located approximately 300 kilometers from the state capital, Raipur.
