Nagpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday condoled the deaths of 17 workers in a blast at an explosives factory in Raulgaon village in Katol and announced ex gratia for the families of the deceased and the injured. Fadnavis also ordered a detailed inquiry into the blast. Modi termed the incident “deeply distressing” and announced ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured. “My condolences to the families of the deceased. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The local administration is assisting those affected,” he said.
Fadnavis announced ₹5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and said the company concerned would extend financial support to the families. He said 18 injured persons were shifted to Nagpur for treatment and directed district authorities to ensure the best medical care. Fadnavis said he was in constant touch with the local administration. The district collector and superintendent of police reached the site soon after the incident, while NDRF and SDRF teams were deployed. A team from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) also reached the spot, and relief operations were expedited, he added.Union minister Nitin Gadkari expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the bereaved families, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.Nagpur guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said rescue operations were underway and that instructions had been issued for a thorough probe, adding that those found responsible would face action.Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar demanded substantial financial assistance for the affected families. He also questioned whether a safety audit of the company had been conducted and sought accountability for repeated industrial accidents.Former home minister and NCP (SP) leader Anil Deshmukh called for a probe into possible lapses.
