Nashik (Maharashtra): Two people were reported dead, while at least 17 others were severely injured in a poly-film factory explosion in the Igatpuri area in Maharashtra's Nashik district on Sunday morning. A deafening blast followed by a major fire engulfed the factory belonging to the Jindal company. The explosion, reportedly in a boiler in the factory, was followed by a huge blaze, reported around 11.30 am, as people were waking up after the New Year celebrations.
As per the latest inputs received, two persons have died and more than 17 people are injured in the incident and admitted to a local hospital. Rescue operation is still underway. Sources said that there is a 20,000-litre diesel tanker near the Jindal Company and if it catches fire, the fire is likely to spread over an area of 1 km.
Efforts are being made by the administration to extinguish the blaze however the rescue and firefighting teams are facing hurdles due to the billowing smoke from the area. Union MoS Health, Dr Bharti Pawar told the media on Sunday that the officials from the local administration and the district's Guardian minister are present at the site of the accident.
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"Maharashtra CM and Deputy CM are monitoring the situation. Teams deployed to douse fire at the poly film factory," Pawar added. Later in the day, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited the hospital to review the situation of those injured in the mishap. He also announced that the families of the deceased will be given Rs 5 lakh each and the state government will bear the full cost of the injured.
Local eyewitnesses meanwhile claimed that at least 250 workers were on the premises but a majority of them managed to escape to safety. However, over a dozen are still feared trapped there and efforts are on to rescue them.
Nashik Collector Gangatharan D. and Nashik Rural Superintendent of Police Sachin Patil are reviewing the situation. Around a dozen fire tenders from Igatpuri and Nashik city have also reached the spot to battle the conflagration.
Huge clouds of grey and white smoke were visible from long distances and the huge explosion shook many residents on New Year Day. Rural Development Minister Dada Bhuse, who is the Guardian Minister of Nashik district, has rushed to the spot, and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is likely to go there later this afternoon.
