An explosion at the Chirmiri open cast coal mine in Chhattisgarh’s Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district has resulted in injuries to three workers, including two women. The incident occurred on Monday afternoon while a team was preparing for a scheduled blasting operation. Seven to eight workers were reportedly engaged in laying explosives on the coal bed when a sudden blast took place. Rock fragments were dislodged, striking workers and nearby vehicles. The injured were promptly transported to the SECL regional hospital in Kurasia, Chirmiri. Officials stated that all three sustained minor injuries and are in stable condition, with expected discharge soon. A preliminary assessment suggests a possible technical fault may have caused the premature detonation. An internal investigation is underway to ascertain the precise cause, examining potential equipment malfunctions, procedural oversights, or human error. Operations at the mine have been temporarily suspended for safety evaluations. This incident highlights ongoing safety concerns within the mining sector and the need for rigorous preventative measures.
