As many as 12 people were killed, and over 18 people were seriously injured following an explosion at SBL Energy Limited at Katol in Nagpur district, Maharashtra, on Sunday.
Reportedly, the blast occurred at the company's detonator packing unit around 7 am.
The facility that was affected was a mining and industrial explosives manufacturing factory.
Superintendent of Police (Nagpur Rural) Harrsh Podar said that the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.
VIDEO | On the Nagpur blast, District Magistrate Vipin Itankar says, “As per our primary information, around 30 to 35 workers were present in the detonator assembly factory during the 6 am shift. Following the blast, we have so far confirmed 10 to 12 deaths. Eighteen injured… pic.twitter.com/n3KxAcR4Oz
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 1, 2026
Rescue operations were being carried out by NDRF, SDRF, police administration and revenue administration teams.
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District Collector Vipin Itankar also reached the spot. According to Itankar, around 35 workers were present in the detonator assembly factory during the 6 am shift. "So far, 12 deaths have been confirmed. 18 workers were shifted to the hospital...Our immediate priority is to recover bodies and ensure medical care for the injured," he said.
The forensic department is also on the site to ascertain the cause of the incident.
The incident comes a day after a blast at a cracker unit in Andhra Pradesh's Kakinada district claimed 21 lives.
Further details awaited.
