Gujarat: At least 5 dead, 50 injured in chemical factory blast in Dahej

At the very least five workers have lost their lives and 50 suffered severe injuries following an explosion in Yashashvi Private Ltd at Dahej on Wednesday, as the cloud of smoke billowed out of the plant.

The injured people have been admitted in Bharuch civil hospital and two other private hospitals. The blast was heard up to 3 km radius. As a preventative step, the district administration has shifted around 4,800 people living in two nearby villages. Fire tenders have been rushed to control the fire.

According to details from Bharuch district disaster management, around 100 of workers were there inside Yashashvi Rasayan on Wednesday. Due to some unknown reason during a chemical process a reaction took place and led to the blast.

As soon as the blast happened, many workers managed to come out of the factory and informed the manager and owwner. Fire officials immediately reached the location, along with the Disaster Management team. In due course, a rescue operation was carried out. Police have started off an investigation into the matter.

Bharuch District collector MD Modia stated that, “We have sent our high level officials to the spot to know how the blast had taken place. The fire department are trying to douse the flames. At present around 50 workers were injured and they are been treated in Bharuch civil hospital and two private hospitals. We have evacuated 3000 villagers from Lakhi village and 1800 from Luvara village, to safer places, as a precautionary measure as there are few other chemical companies. Once the fire is brought under the control, we will shift them back.”

DSP of Bharuch, Rajendrasinh Chudasma stated that, “We have come to know that five bodies had been found inside the factory premises, but still fire staff is battling with fire flames. Once the fire is brought under control the exact picture will come out. Police are also present at the spot and are talking to people to get information. It will take after couple of hours. Some of the injured ones undergoing treatment in the hospitals are also critical.”

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