2 dead, 6 injured after explosion at Century Rayon factory in Maharashtra

The police identified the deceased as Shailesh Yadav and Rajesh Shrivastav and the injured as Sagar Zalte, Amit Bharnuke, Pandit More, Prakash Nikam, Hansraj Saroj and Mohamed Arman.

“The injured have been admitted to Century Hospital and Fortis Hospital,” a police officer said.

People gather outside the Century Rayon factory following an explosion. (Express photo by Deepak Joshi)

Officials said that Pawan Yadav and Anant Dingore, who work as a driver and helper, are still missing and efforts are being made to trace them. Senior police inspector Dilip Fulpagare of Ulhasnagar police station said, “Apart from the two persons who were found dead at the spot, we have also recovered some body parts. It could be of the two persons who are still missing as we have been informed that they were there when the incident took place. We will take DNA samples of their family members and check whether the body parts are of Yadav and Dingore.”

Hours after the incident, Century Rayon issued a statement. “We deeply regret to inform tanker having No. MH 04 GC 2487 of third party which arrived from outside at plant site on 23rd September 2023 at about 11:15 am got ruptured while tanker was under inspection before filling,” the company said.

As soon as the incident was reported, the local police, fire brigade and other agencies rushed to the spot and started rescue operations.

“At present, two casualties have been identified and four people are undergoing treatment at hospital and they are all stable. Search is on for two people who are being traced. Immediately post the incident, all the emergency protocol services were activated and the area had been cordoned off,” the Century Rayon statement read.

Pathare said that the Directorate of Industrial Security will conduct a probe to find out what led to the incident and if all security measures were in place. The police, who had initially registered a case of accidental death report, late in the night registered a case under sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 285 (Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter), 286 (Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

Pathare confirmed the development and said, “A case has been registered against the company administration, the owners and driver of the tanker and others. We will investigate the matter and take action accordingly.”

Another police officer said that as soon as they heard the sound of the explosion, other workers fled from the spot. People in nearby residential areas also heard the explosion and left their premises, the officer added.

Century Rayon, a leading player in the viscose filament yarn business in India, is under the management and operation of Grasim Industries Limited belonging to the Aditya Birla Group, with Kumar Mangalam Birla as its chairman.

“We are working closely with relevant authorities on ground and have initiated an internal investigation to ascertain the cause of the accident. Suitable compensations and job assurance to dependent of deceased is being planned. Further investigations are going on,” the company said in its official statement.