On Sunday morning (March 1st), a powerful explosion occurred in the village of Raulgaon, located about 25 kilometers outside Nagpur city in India. The accident has tragically claimed the lives of at least 17 people and left 18 others injured, who have been urgently taken to hospitals in Nagpur city for treatment.
The explosion took place at a factory owned by SBL Energy Company. The company mainly produces explosives for mining and industrial use, including detonators and explosive coils, primarily catering to mining and infrastructure construction projects.
Representatives of SBL Energy Company stated that the exact time of the accident was around 7:00 to 7:15 am, with the explosion originating from the detonator packaging facility within the factory premises. Senior officials of the company mentioned that rescue operations are still ongoing at the site, and a detailed statement will be released later.
Currently, the scene is still filled with thick smoke and debris scattered all over the ground. Local fire brigade teams swiftly arrived at the site, with the police immediately initiating rescue efforts. Rescuers are working tirelessly to search for survivors, investigate the cause of the accident, and ambulances have been dispatched to urgently transfer the injured to hospitals in Nagpur city. The bodies of the deceased are expected to be taken to the government medical college’s facility for examination.
Local Police Chief Sandip Patil, District Administrator Vipin Itankar, and Inspector Harsh A Poddar, along with other officials, have directed the disaster relief operations at the scene. Patil mentioned in an interview, “There have been reports of casualties, but the exact number is yet to be confirmed. A team of experts has been deployed to conduct search and rescue operations.” Inspector Poddar stressed that the investigation process has been initiated.
It is worth noting that another factory near the industrial area had a major fire incident just last year in 2025. This latest explosion has once again raised concerns among the public about the safety regulations of the local factories.
On Sunday afternoon, the India Prime Minister’s Office expressed condolences on X platform and announced the allocation of funds from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). An ex-gratia payment of 200,000 rupees (approximately 76,000 New Taiwan Dollars) will be provided to the families of each deceased victim, while the injured individuals will receive 50,000 rupees as consolation.
The office further stated, “The factory explosion in Nagpur has deeply saddened us, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local government is fully assisting all affected individuals.”