SURAT: Six workers died in a massive explosion at a chemical factory at the Dahej GIDC in Gujarat’s Bharuch district in the early hours of Monday. While the exact cause of the explosion was yet to be known, officials said their preliminary investigation revealed that a fire during a chemical process at the factory could have led to the explosion.
Bharuch DC Tushar Sumera confirmed that “six people died” in an explosion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and announced compensation for their kin. “An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000,” the PMO tweeted.
According to officials, a fire broke out at Om Organic, situated at Dhaej GIDC, at around 1 am on Monday and was followed a few minutes later by a massive explosion. The blast was heard up to at least a kilometre away. Workers in nearby factories felt there had been an earthquake and ran out of their units.