9 Arrested in Nagpur Factory Blast; Death Toll Rises to 19

Nagpur: The death toll in the devastating factory blast in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district has climbed to 19 after two critically injured workers succumbed during treatment, officials confirmed on Monday. Police have arrested nine persons in connection with the incident and registered a case against 21 company directors as part of a widening probe into alleged safety lapses.

The explosion, which occurred at an industrial unit in the city’s manufacturing belt, triggered a massive fire and caused severe structural damage to the premises. Several workers were trapped under debris following the blast, prompting an extensive rescue operation involving fire brigade teams, disaster response personnel and local police.

According to officials, many of the victims suffered severe burn injuries and were admitted to nearby hospitals in critical condition. Despite intensive medical care, two more workers died during treatment, taking the total fatalities to 19. Several others remain hospitalised, some battling life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigations suggest that negligence and violation of safety norms may have contributed to the tragedy. Police sources said the FIR includes serious charges under sections related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, causing death by negligence, and violations of industrial safety regulations.

A senior police officer stated that nine individuals, including managerial staff and supervisors, have been taken into custody for questioning. The role of 21 directors named in the case is also under scrutiny, with investigators examining whether proper safety protocols, fire control systems and emergency preparedness measures were in place at the facility.

The blast has sparked outrage among workers’ families, who have alleged that repeated complaints about hazardous working conditions were ignored. Many of the deceased were daily wage labourers who were the sole breadwinners of their families.

State authorities have announced compensation for the families of the deceased and assured strict action against those found responsible. A high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause of the explosion and fix accountability.

As investigations continue, questions are being raised about regulatory oversight and enforcement of industrial safety standards in the region. The incident stands as one of the deadliest industrial accidents in Nagpur in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for stricter compliance and monitoring to prevent such tragedies in the future.