Nagpur Blast 2025: 1 Killed, 14 Injured in Massive Explosion at Explosives Unit, Probe Launched
Nagpur Blast 2025: A powerful explosion at an explosives unit leaves 1 dead and 14 injured. Authorities launch urgent probe as rescue teams rush to the site
NAGPUR: A person was killed and 14 others were injured after a blast occurred at an explosives factory in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district shortly after midnight on Thursday, leading to the collapse of the building, police said.
The blast took place at around 12.30 am in a plant of the Solar Group at Bazargaon, located nearly 30 km from the district headquarters, officials said, adding the entire building collapsed due to the explosion.
A person, aged 25, was killed and 14 others suffered injuries, according to police, while a company official said eight persons were injured.
Seven persons were in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a hospital, while the seven others suffered minor injuries, a senior police official told PTI.
A team of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) will visit the site to ascertain the cause of the blast, the official said.
The company’s Senior General Manager, Ashish Kumar Srivastava, told PTI Videos that the blast took place at 12.33 am in the crystallisation building, where energetic materials are crystallised.
The entire building collapsed because of the explosion, the official said.
He said one person died in the blast and eight were injured.
“We sent all of them to hospital for treatment,” he said, adding the cause of the explosion will be clear after an investigation.
Before the blast, there were indications (of an explosion) following which people there themselves left the plant, the official said.
The cooling system automatically started after the blast and all the emergency processes of evacuation and building clearances were done properly, he said, adding that safety procedures were activated in the entire factory.
“Our senior officers and directors reached the spot on time and all the teams along with police responded on time,” the official said.
The cost of treatment of the injured persons will be borne by the company and a proper compensation will be given to the deceased’s kin, the official said.
NCP (SP) leader and former state home minister Anil Deshmukh, who belongs to Nagpur, visited the injured persons in the hospital.
Speaking to PTI videos, Deshmukh said the explosive companies should be very alert about such incidents.
He said the government should ensure the explosive manufacturing factories follow proper safety measures.
A powerful blast at an explosives manufacturing unit in Nagpur, Maharashtra, left one person dead and at least 14 others injured on Thursday, sparking panic in the surrounding industrial zone. The incident has raised serious safety concerns and prompted authorities to launch a high-level investigation into the cause of the explosion.
The explosion occurred around midday at an industrial unit specializing in manufacturing explosives and detonators used in mining and construction. According to local police, the blast was so intense that it shattered glass windows in nearby buildings and could be heard several kilometers away.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos as workers rushed out of the facility, with smoke and debris filling the air. Emergency services, including fire brigades, ambulances, and disaster response teams, quickly reached the site to carry out rescue operations.
Authorities confirmed that one worker was killed instantly due to the impact of the blast. At least 14 others sustained injuries, ranging from burns to fractures caused by flying debris.
Several of the injured have been admitted to Nagpur Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where doctors described their condition as stable.
A few workers reportedly sustained serious burn injuries and remain under close observation in the intensive care unit.
Families of the injured have been informed, and counseling services are being arranged for affected workers.
Nagpur Police Commissioner confirmed that a forensic team has been deployed to investigate the exact cause of the explosion. Preliminary reports suggest that the blast may have occurred due to improper handling of highly volatile chemicals.
Maharashtra Chief Minister expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and assured strict action against negligence:
“We will not tolerate lapses in safety norms. An inquiry committee has been formed, and the guilty will face severe consequences.”
The District Collector also ordered a temporary shutdown of the unit until safety checks and compliance audits are completed.
Workers who survived the explosion described terrifying moments. One survivor, a 32-year-old technician, said:
“We suddenly heard a deafening sound, and everything went dark with smoke. People were screaming and running. It felt like the entire building shook.”
Nearby shopkeepers also reported the ground trembling, with some initially fearing it was an earthquake.
The Nagpur blast has once again brought the spotlight on industrial safety in hazardous manufacturing units. Experts note that accidents in explosive factories are often linked to:
Lack of proper safety training for workers
Inadequate protective gear
Overcrowding in sensitive work areas
Poor monitoring of chemical storage and handling
Past incidents in Maharashtra and other states have highlighted recurring lapses, raising questions about regulatory enforcement and accountability.
The explosion caused property damage to nearby structures, including broken windows and minor structural cracks.
Locals expressed fear and frustration, demanding stricter regulation of hazardous industries operating near residential zones.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been placed on standby in case further assistance is required.
Officials have collected samples from the blast site for forensic testing. A detailed report is expected in the coming weeks, which will determine whether the explosion was caused by human error, equipment failure, or chemical instability.
Meanwhile, labor unions have demanded better safety protocols and compensation packages for the victims and their families.
