Dombivli factory blast: Chemical unit blast occurred in reactor, not boiler, says Minister

The site of Dombivli factory blast. Pic/Satej Shinde

Maharashtra Labour Minister Suresh Khade has said the blast in a chemical factory at Dombivli in Thane district last week occurred in a reactor and not a boiler, reported news agency PTI.

An expert team from New Delhi will conduct a probe to ascertain the exact cause of the Dombivli factory blast, Khade told reporters after visiting the incident site on Monday.

The blast at Amudan Chemicals unit on May 23 claimed 10 lives and left more than 60 persons injured, as per official, reported PTI.

Khade held discussions with the officials concerned and assured a thorough investigation to find out if the incident occurred due to human error or other factors, reported PTI.

He said the explosion took place in a reactor and not a boiler.

"There is no boiler department in the company," he said, reported PTI.

Khade also said efforts were underway to locate any missing workers, with plans for further examination of the debris if necessary, reported PTI.

He stressed on the need for stringent safety measures to prevent such incidents in future.

The labour department would make efforts to secure higher compensation for the Dombivli factory blast victims and their families through legal recourse, he added, reported PTI.

Earlier, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had announced that the kin of those killed in the Dombivli factory blast would be given Rs 5 lakh each and the expenses of the injured would be borne by the government.

The police had arrested Amudan Chemicals owner Malay Mehta (38) after the incident.

The impact of the blast was so severe that it shattered window panes of houses and damaged cars, roads and electric poles in the vicinity.

(With inputs from PTI)