Eight killed, 60 injured in series of blasts at industrial unit in Dombivli near Mumbai; probe ordered

Thane: At least 8 persons were killed and at least 60 others left injured in a massive chain of blasts in a chemical factory in the Dombivli township of Thane, a bustling suburb of Mumbai on Thursday.

Four boilers of Amber Chemical Co exploded, triggering a massive blaze and inferno, which were seen from several kilometres away.

The explosions were reported from Phase-2 of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) complex of Dombivli, which is surrounded by several residential complexes and slum localities.

Shockwaves of the blast damaged several window panes in the locality and people ran helter-skelter running for cover.

Some houses, household equipment and vehicles too were damaged.

“It took some time for us to realise what had happened. Everyone was shocked. The rattling noise of a chain of blasts have left us numb. Only when people saw smoke did they realise that it was something that has happened in the MIDC area. In the past similar incidents have happened,” said local resident Amit Shah.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to Thane Collector Ashok Shingare and reviewed the situation. “The District Collector has been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. As of now, the priority has been given to rescue work and after that action will definitely be taken against those who are responsible for this accident,” Shinde said.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, confirmed six deaths and injuries to 48 persons. “All assistance is being provided,” he said.

Teams of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation, Thane Municipal Corporation, State Disaster Relief Force, National Disaster Relief Force are present at the site.

The injured are being treated at the AIMS Hospital, Neptune Hospital and Global Hospital. “Various teams and administrative officials are at the spot for rescue operations,” said Fadnavis.

Industries Minister Uday Samant and Public Works Development Minister Ravindra Chavan, who is the MLA from Dombivli, Kalyan Rural MLA Raju Patil rushed to the spot.

The fire also spread to some of the neighbouring industrial units, however, latest information said the flames have been brought under control. A probe has been ordered into the blast.

The photo of the official order for the probe. 

More than two dozen fire tenders, jumbo water tankers and ambulances were rushed to the spot.

“When it happened, people were clueless. We were not able to think as it came from the bolt to the blue,” said M K Joshi, a Thane resident.

It may be mentioned, on May 26, 2016, around a dozen people were killed and over 100 others injured in an industrial blast in the Dombivli MIDC.