2024 Thane explosion explained

Location:Dombivili, Thane, Maharashtra
Cause:Fire due to explosion
Reported Deaths:10
Reported Injuries:64

On 23 May 2024, a fire broke out following the explosion of four boilers at a chemical factory in Dombivili, a suburb of Thane. Ten people were killed and more than 64 were injured.

Incident

At 13:30 IST on 23 May 2024, four boilers exploded at the Amber Chemical Factory at Dombivili, a suburb of Thane. The factory was involved in the production of food coloring and other chemicals. The fire spread to nearby factories and building, before being extinguished.[1] [2] [3] [4] Ten people were killed and more than 64 were injured in the accident.

Aftermath

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Thane Disaster Response FOrce (TDRF) and Maharashtra fire service were involved in fire control, search and rescue operations. The injured were rescued and treated in nearby hospitals.[1] The owner of the factory was arrested after the accident and experts opined that fire safety regulations might not have been followed. The cause of the accident is under investigation.[1]

Government of Maharashtra announced that the fire started in a reactor and spread to other parts of the plant, resulting in the explosion. An expert committee was formed to investigate the accident. Chief Minister of Maharashtra Eknath Shinde announced an ex-gratia of for the next of the kin who were killed.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: 24 May 2024 . Explosion and fire at chemical factory in India kills at least 9, injures 64 . 24 May 2024 . Associated Press . 24 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240524050517/https://apnews.com/article/india-fire-factory-blast-4a6047ccce9dab5e71a9a1600d77cae8 . live .
  2. News: 23 May 2024 . Fire breaks out after massive explosion at chemical factory in Thane . 23 May 2024 . . 23 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240523100453/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/fire-breaks-out-after-massive-explosion-at-chemical-factory-in-thane-dombiwali/3498803/ . live .
  3. News: 23 May 2024 . 8 Dead, More Than 60 Injured In Massive Blast At Chemical Factory In Thane District . 23 May 2024 . . 23 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240523092720/https://www.news18.com/india/maharashtra-massive-fire-breaks-out-at-chemical-factory-in-dombivli-rescue-ops-on-8901395.html . live .
  4. News: Massive Explosion at factory in Thane. 23 May 2024. 23 May 2024. NDTV.
  5. News: Dombivli chemical unit blast occurred in reactor, not boiler; Delhi experts to probe cause: Maharashtra Minister. 28 May 2024. 28 May 2024. Telegraph India.