Eight people have died in an explosion at a chemical factory in Maharashtra’s Palghar, nearly 100 kilometres away from Mumbai. The production in the unit was going on at the time of the incident, according to reports.
The explosion was so intense that it was heard within a 15-kilometre radius, police spokesperson Hemant Katkar said. Palghar Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh, confirmed that the fire has been brought under control. Rescue operation however are still underway.
Laxman Rathod, Deputy Executive Engineer, MSEDCL, Boisar, said, “We received a call at around 1900 hrs, after an Aluminium sheet of the said company fell on the transformer in the Kolwade 11 KV(Kilo Volt) feeder in the area and as a result there was power tripping in the transformer located near the unit.
Rathore said that while the power was automatically shut and as a safety measure, the power supply of the N Zone feeder was also switched off.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives in the explosion.