Thane: 1 Dead, 4 Injured in Chemical Factory Blasts

A series of explosions ripped through a chemical factory in Maharashtra's Thane district early Thursday morning, leaving one worker dead and four others injured. The incident occurred around 4.30 am in the Kharvai MIDC industrial area, according to Yasin Tadvi, chief of the Thane Municipal Corporation's Disaster Management cell.

The deceased worker has yet to be identified. The injured individuals, whose names and conditions remain undisclosed, have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The blasts, suspected to have originated in a reactor within the factory, triggered a fire. Fire tenders and rescue teams were promptly deployed to control the blaze and prevent further damage. The fire also spread to nearby parked vehicles and drums containing chemicals, exacerbating the situation.

According to Bhagwat Sonawane, chief fire officer at the Kulgaon-Badlapur Fire Services, the explosions were so powerful that they were audible from a distance of one kilometer. Additionally, debris from the damaged reactor scattered around a 500-meter radius of the factory.

Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and the extent of damage to the facility. Efforts are also underway to identify the deceased worker and provide necessary support to the injured and their families. This tragic incident highlights the importance of stringent safety protocols and regulations in chemical production facilities to prevent such unforeseen disasters.