Mohali Oxygen Plant Blast Kills 2, Injures 3 in Massive Explosion; Panic Grips Industrial Zone
A massive explosion at an oxygen plant in Mohali leaves 2 dead and 3 injured, triggering panic across the industrial area. Authorities launch urgent probe into the blast
Two people were killed and three were injured in a blast in an oxygen cylinder plant in Mohali, Punjab, on Wednesday. The incident took place at the unit located in the industrial area in Phase 9.
Senior officials of Mohali police and civil administration, including the sub-divisional magistrate, reached the spot to take stock of the situation. The injured have been rushed to the Civil Hospital in Mohali.
Mohali Deputy Commissioner in a post on X said, “A blast was reported today at an oxygen plant located in Industrial Area, Phase 9. Upon receiving information, medical teams, police, and district administration personnel promptly reached the site and initiated rescue operations.”
“The incident has resulted in two casualties. Additionally, three injured individuals have been shifted to Civil Hospital, Phase 6, for treatment,” the post further read.
In a devastating incident that shook Punjab’s industrial belt, a massive explosion tore through an oxygen manufacturing plant in Mohali on Tuesday, killing two workers and leaving three others critically injured. The powerful blast, which occurred in the Derabassi industrial area on the outskirts of Mohali, not only damaged the facility but also sparked fear and confusion among local residents and factory workers in the vicinity.
The explosion occurred around 11:20 AM and was followed by a fire that quickly engulfed a section of the plant. Witnesses described a deafening noise and a sudden shockwave that shattered nearby windows and caused structural damage to adjoining buildings.
According to initial reports from the local administration and eyewitness accounts, the blast occurred during routine operations involving oxygen cylinder refilling. The plant, owned by a private manufacturer supplying medical and industrial oxygen across Punjab and Haryana, was reportedly handling a large volume of pressurized gas cylinders at the time.
“We heard a loud boom and saw smoke rising. People came running out of buildings, shouting and crying. It was terrifying,” said a local shopkeeper whose business is located less than 200 meters from the explosion site.
Two workers were declared dead on the spot by emergency responders, while three others sustained severe burn injuries and trauma. They were immediately rushed to the civil hospital in Derabassi and later shifted to the PGIMER hospital in Chandigarh for specialized treatment. Their condition remains critical.
The deceased have been identified as:
Harpreet Singh (35), a technician who had been working at the plant for over 8 years
Rohit Kumar (28), a contract worker who had recently joined the facility
The injured include:
Ramesh Lal (42) – burns and blunt force trauma
Jasbir Kaur (38) – head injury due to falling debris
Ankit Sharma (29) – multiple fractures and respiratory distress
The families of the deceased were seen arriving at the hospital, devastated and demanding accountability from the plant’s management.
Following the explosion, the Mohali district administration activated its emergency disaster response protocol. Fire tenders from Derabassi, Zirakpur, and Mohali rushed to the site. It took over two hours to douse the fire and ensure the plant was safe to enter.
A team from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has begun an investigation to determine the exact cause of the blast. Preliminary findings point towards a possible over-pressurized cylinder or valve malfunction, though officials have not ruled out negligence in safety protocols.
Speaking to the media, Mohali Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain confirmed that an FIR would be registered, and strict action taken if safety violations are found.
The explosion sent shockwaves across the Derabassi industrial area, which houses dozens of chemical, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing units. Many factories were temporarily shut down as a precaution.
“We had just opened our unit for the day when the explosion happened. The ground shook, and we immediately evacuated all staff,” said Gaurav Bansal, manager of a neighboring metal fabrication unit.
Local schools and residential societies nearby were also affected. Parents rushed to pick up children from schools after social media rumors of more blasts started circulating.
This is not the first time such an incident has occurred in Punjab’s industrial zones. Just last year, a minor fire broke out at another oxygen facility in Ludhiana due to a leaking cylinder. However, that incident was contained with no casualties.
Experts point out that the handling of compressed gases like oxygen requires stringent safety measures, including regular maintenance of valves, cylinders, and pressure regulators. “If routine checks are skipped or untrained personnel handle refilling operations, the consequences can be fatal,” said Dr. Sameer Gupta, an industrial safety consultant.
The Factory Act of 1948, along with state-specific safety regulations, mandates periodic audits and inspections of high-risk units. The plant in question had reportedly last passed a safety inspection in October 2024, but officials are now questioning the thoroughness of that audit.
The Punjab government has taken serious note of the incident. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his condolences on social media and assured a thorough inquiry. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the Mohali plant explosion. A high-level probe has been ordered, and no one found guilty will be spared,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Opposition parties, meanwhile, criticized the state government for failing to enforce industrial safety norms. “The explosion is a symptom of a larger problem — the state’s casual attitude toward industrial oversight,” said Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa.
In an official statement, the Punjab government has announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased worker and ₹2 lakh for each of the injured. Additionally, the district administration has been directed to conduct safety audits of all oxygen and chemical plants in the region within the next 15 days.
The company owning the oxygen plant has also pledged financial support to the victims and their families, but questions remain about accountability and long-term regulatory enforcement.
The tragedy has reignited discussions about industrial safety in India, especially in high-risk sectors like oxygen production, chemicals, and heavy manufacturing. Experts have long urged the implementation of real-time monitoring systems, trained emergency response teams, and periodic mock drills to prepare for incidents like this.
“The Mohali blast is a stark reminder that industrial accidents aren’t just about machinery — they’re about lives,” said Professor Anjali Deshmukh, who studies disaster management and industrial policy. “We cannot allow profit margins to come at the cost of human safety.”
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