Hapur chemical plant explosion explained

Hapur chemical plant explosion
Date:4 June 2022
Place:Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Coordinates:25°39′34.0632″N 83°23′53.8800″E
Cause:Chemical plant explosion
Reported Deaths:10[1] [2]
Reported Injuries:22

On 4 June 2022, a major explosion and fire occurred at a chemical plant in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. At least 9 people were killed and 19 others injured.[1]

Details of the disaster

The explosion took place on a Saturday afternoon[3] at the Ruhi Industries [4] electronic equipment manufacturing unit where 33 people were working.[5] The magnitude caused roofs to blow off houses,[6] with sound travelling 10 km away. The factory was owned by Dilshad of Meerut, and had been leased to Wasim of Hapur. After the explosion, Wasim fled the scene after receiving medical treatment but was later arrested.[7] A forensic science laboratory criminal investigation[8] was launched initiated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in order to determine the exact cause of the blast.

After further investigation

Initial reports were of a burst boiler which had caused the explosion. However the subsequent suspected cause was gunpowder used to manufacture toy gun pellets, because police retrieved plastic pellets used in their manufacture from the scene. This was despite the factory's license obtained in 2021 to manufacture electronic equipment not toy guns.

Location

The factory is located in Dhaluana, at the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation governed industrial district of Harpur, 60 Kilometers from New Delhi, the capital of India. Harpur coordinates: 25.6595°N 83.3983°W

Local response

The local response was rapid. The Chief Minister announced a rescue and relief operation with victims to be supported. Firefighters attended for 3 hours to extinguish the fire, and forensics attended the scene to gather evidence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to those affected, and the state government offered support for the treatment of victims.

Mortality and morbidity

Initial reports were of 9 people dead and 19 injured. However, later reports confirmed13 killed and 20 injured. 11 of those who died came from the areas of Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) and Bihar. Wasim, owner of the factory suffered burns and incurred stitches. Victims were taken to hospitals for medical care in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut, including Safdarjung Hospital for optimal treatment.

Consequences

The owner and operator of the factory were charged under Indian Penal Code sections 286, 287, 304, 308, 337 and 338. As a result, further investigations were carried out in neighboring factories to ensure licenses were correctly used.

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Nayak. Mammath. 9 Killed, Over 19 Injured in Fire at Chemical Factory in UP's Hapur; PM Modi Expresses Grief. 4 June 2022. India.com. 4 June 2022.
  2. News: 9 Killed In Fire At Chemical Factory Near Delhi . 4 June 2022. ndtv.com. 4 June 2022.
  3. Web site: 9 Killed, 19 Injured At Hapur Chemical Factory Blaze Near Delhi (outlookindia.com) . 5 January 2023 . Outlook India.
  4. Web site: Gunpowder used at UP factory suspected behind blast that killed 12 What we know so far . 2023-01-06 . India Today . en.
  5. Web site: Mehrotra . Vani . News . India TV . 2022-06-05 . Hapur factory fire: Gunpowder suspected behind blast; plastic pallets recovered from spot . 2023-01-06 . www.indiatvnews.com . en.
  6. Web site: 12 Killed In Fire At Chemical Factory in UP's Hapur . 2023-01-06 . NDTV.com.
  7. News: Hapur factory explosion: Unit operator arrested, toll rises to 13 . The Economic Times . 2023-01-06.
  8. Web site: Livemint . 2022-06-04 . Uttar Pradesh chemical factory explosion: 9 dead, 19 injured in Hapur district . 2023-01-06 . mint . en.