At least 17 people were killed and 18 others injured in a powerful blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Raulgaon village, Nagpur district, Maharashtra on Sunday morning. The explosion occurred at the SBL Energy Limited facility, a company that produces industrial explosives and detonators. The blast took place around 7:00–7:15 am at the factory’s detonator packing unit, according to senior police officials. Rescue operations by emergency services including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are underway at the site.
Casualties and Aftermath
Authorities confirmed that 17 persons lost their lives in the incident and 18 others were seriously injured. The injured have been transported to hospitals in Nagpur for urgent medical treatment. Police and disaster response teams, along with local officials including the district collector and superintendent of police, are coordinating rescue and relief efforts amid the debris and damaged structures at the factory site. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blast and assess safety compliance.
Prime Minister Announces Ex-Gratia Assistance
Reacting to the tragic explosion, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) expressed deep grief over the loss of life and announced ex-gratia compensation from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). In a post on social media platform X, the PMO said that:
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Rs 2 lakh will be given to the next of kin of each deceased victim,
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Rs 50,000 will be provided to those injured in the explosion.
The PMO extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Official and Public Response
The blast has drawn condolences from political leaders and raised urgent questions about industrial safety norms in high-risk manufacturing sectors. Officials have pledged a thorough inquiry into how the explosion occurred, while local and state authorities continue relief operations at the scene.