BHANDARA, India, Jan 24 – A devastating explosion at an ordnance factory in Maharashtra’s Bhandara district on Thursday killed at least one person and left several workers trapped under debris, authorities said.
The blast occurred around 10:30 a.m. in the LTP section of the factory located in Jawahar Nagar. The explosion caused the roof to collapse, trapping 12 of the 14 workers present. Two workers were rescued immediately, but 10 remain trapped, officials said.
“The explosion was so powerful it was heard five kilometers away,” said Sanjay Kolte, District Collector of Bhandara, who is leading the rescue operations.
Emergency teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), firefighters, and local authorities, rushed to the scene. Heavy machinery, such as JCB excavators, is being deployed to clear the rubble. Medical teams are on standby to assist the injured.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed his condolences and confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that five workers have been rescued so far. “Efforts are ongoing to save those still trapped. All necessary assistance will be provided,” he said.
Preliminary investigations suggest the explosion occurred in a section where RDX raw materials are processed. The building was completely destroyed, raising concerns about the safety protocols at the facility.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole criticized the incident, calling it a “failure of the Modi government” and demanding a thorough investigation into the cause of the blast.
The explosion has rattled the local community, with residents reporting loud blasts and ground tremors. Many locals rushed to the site to assist with rescue efforts. Videos circulating on social media showed plumes of thick smoke rising from the factory.
The Ordnance Factory in Bhandara, a key defense manufacturing unit, plays a critical role in India’s defense production. The incident has sparked fresh calls for stricter safety measures in such facilities.
