An explosion at a Chhattisgarh coal mine has left three workers, including two women, with injuries. The incident occurred at the South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) Chirmiri open cast mine in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB) district. Workers were reportedly preparing for a routine blasting operation when the blast took place between 2 pm and 3 pm on Monday. A team of seven to eight individuals was in the process of laying explosives on the coal bed. As they were moving to a safe distance for detonation, the explosion occurred unexpectedly. Flying rock fragments from the blast struck workers and nearby vehicles. The injured were swiftly transported to SECL’s regional hospital at Kurasia, where they are reported to be in stable condition and out of danger. Medical officials anticipate their discharge soon. Initial assessments suggest a potential technical fault may have caused the premature explosion. An internal investigation is underway to ascertain the precise cause, examining possibilities of equipment malfunction, procedural errors, or human oversight. The mine site has been secured, and operations are temporarily suspended pending safety evaluations. Authorities are reviewing safety protocols to prevent future incidents. Manendragarh is located approximately 300 kilometers from Raipur, the state capital.
