5 dead, 100 injured in explosion at Thane chemical factory

DOMBIVLI (MAHARASHTRA): Five people died and nearly 100 were injured in a blast at a chemical factory at Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) at

DOMBIVLI (MAHARASHTRA): Five people died and nearly 100 were injured in a blast at a chemical factory at Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) at Dombivli in Thane on Thursday.

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Witnesses said that a boiler in the factory exploded, leading to a fire. More than five fire engines were rushed to the spot.

Companies in the vicinity felt vibrations while local residents said their window panes were shattered. The injured were taken to various hospitals nearby. Fearing more blasts, many residents came out on the streets. The police have asked people in the area to wear masks as a precautionary measure as many complained of nausea.

A police inspector from Manpada police station said, “We have sealed the area around the company.” The state government also announced a probe into the incident, saying it was planning to shift chemical factories out of Dombivli since they were proving to be a hazard for residents. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has been directed to prepare a report to enable the shifting.

“We will conduct a thorough enquiry and strict action will be taken against those who were responsible for the accident,” said Thane district guardian minister Eknath Shinde after visiting the spot. CM Devendra Fadnavis, who visited Dombivli in the evening, directed local authorities to speed up the relief operations.