Tragedy struck in Datia’s Nargadh village when gunpowder stored at a stone crusher exploded without warning, critically wounding two laborers on Sunday. The incident has ignited concerns over illegal explosive handling in Madhya Pradesh’s mining areas.
The powerful detonation happened inside a dedicated room at the crusher premises around midday. Baburam, hailing from Jaipur in Rajasthan, and Gabbar Kushwaha from Lalitpur in Uttar Pradesh, were inside when the blast occurred. Both sustained grievous burn injuries and were immediately transferred to Jhansi Medical College after first aid.
Police reports indicate that blasting contractor Dharmaveer Gurjar from Morena was responsible for the explosives. The room was specifically used for materials needed in rock-breaking activities.
Investigators are delving into critical details: What brought the workers into the explosive storage area? Was the gunpowder licensed and safely stored? Interrogations of the site owner and locals are underway to piece together the sequence of events.
Notably, the quarry had lain idle for an extended period, its operations halted amid unpaid royalties. Restarted only seven days ago, the site’s sudden reactivation now faces intense scrutiny.
As the injured fight for their lives, this blast serves as a stark reminder of the perils in unregulated stone crushing industries. Enhanced oversight and compliance checks could prevent future disasters, experts say.