Five workers killed in Gujarat chemical blast: What caused the explosion?

A chemical blast in a Gujarat manufacturing factory has led to the death of five workers and has left five others injured.

Officials said that the incident took place at the SynZeal Pharmachem in Gujarat’s Bharuch district around 10 pm on Friday. An initial investigation found that the blast occurred during a hydrogenation process, which triggered a toxic leak of methylene dichloride (MDC) gas.

SynZeal Pharmachem, located in the Saykha GIDC area of Vagra taluka, was established only a year ago and manufactures chemical compounds required for pharmaceutical medicines.

The intensity of the blast caused a 15-kilolitre reactor tank to tear apart and send pieces of machinery flying across the factory premises. The gas leak has left the area hazy and covered in dust, with workers reportedly complaining of severe eye irritation.

Bharuch Superintendent of Police Akshyaraj Makwana confirmed that five workers were killed and five others sustained injuries in the blast. The injured were taken to hospitals in Bharuch and Vadodara, while the bodies of the victims were shifted to Bharuch Civil Hospital.

The deceased have been identified as Jaydeep Maheshbhai Patel and Bhavik Dilipkumar Vasava, who are residents of Amod. A native of Talala from Gir Somnath district, Vrund Talaviya, and Uttar Pradesh natives Aniket Hailal Gautam and Arjunkumar Ramsingh Gautam were also killed.

The injured workers were identified as Pavankumar Ramsingh Gautam, Mausamkumar Ramsevak Yadav, Shivdayal Ramavatar Yadav, Pratik Pravin Prajapati and Priyanshu Bahadurlal. They are from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and are currently undergoing treatment.

Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB), the Industrial Safety and Health Department and the police are investigating the exact cause of the explosion.

The incident occurred right after four workers were killed on October 15, in a massive blast at Kovika Dyes, a chemical manufacturing company in Gandhinagar.

Gujarat is a major hub for the production of Methylene chloride, which is usually used as a solvent in pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical processing and paint removers. Consumer use of the chemical is heavily restricted in countries like the US because of health risks. The chemical can cause severe suffocation, can irritate the eyes and skin and cause chemical burns. Long-term or occupational exposure is classified as a potential human carcinogen.