An unexpected 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 a team of seven to eight workers was preparing for a routine blasting operation. While laying explosives on the coal bed, a sudden detonation took place. The force of the blast sent rock fragments flying, striking the workers and nearby vehicles. All injured individuals were promptly transported to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri, and are reported to be in stable condition with minor injuries. Authorities suspect a technical fault may have triggered the premature blast, though an internal investigation is underway to determine the precise cause, examining potential equipment malfunctions, procedural oversights, or human error. Operations at the mine have been temporarily suspended pending safety assessments. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns in mining operations in the region, located approximately 300 kilometers from the state capital, Raipur.
