3 killed in explosion at chemical factory outside Mumbai

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service

Mumbai, May 26

At least three people were killed and 50 others received severe injuries after a massive explosion at a chemical factory at Dombivli on the outskirts of Mumbai on Thursday afternoon.

The death toll could rise as many people are suspected to be trapped on the factory premises, which is on fire, according to locals.

Police and fire brigade officials say the explosion was reported from the Acharya Chemicals Factory at the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) complex at Dombivli East. The explosion
was so severe that glass panels in a number of buildings nearby were shattered.

It is suspected that one of the boilers in the factory exploded after some chemicals in the premises first caught fire.

Confirming the deaths, Rajendra Develekar, Mayor, Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, said houses and offices around a 2-kilometre radius from the area were damaged by the blast.

The fire was raging till late afternoon and fire officials were warning people from venturing close to the premises because of the presence of hazardous chemicals inside.

Those injured in the incident were taken to various hospitals in the vicinity, police said.

Fire officials from the Kalyan-Dombivli civic body said they had to summon fire engines from nearby areas and from Mumbai to fight the fire.

Teams from the NDRF were rushed to the spot to conduct rescue operations as soon as news of the blast was broadcast on television.