A deadly explosion rocked the Ordnance Factory Khamaria (OFK) in Jabalpur on Tuesday morning, resulting in the tragic deaths of two employees and leaving more than ten others with burn injuries. The condition of two severely injured workers remains critical, and they are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.
Explosion occurred during bomb filling
The explosion occurred in building number 200 of the factory's F-6 section during routine bomb-filling operations. Following the blast, one employee was initially reported missing, but his body was later recovered from the site. Another worker succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.
Factory management and officials, including the General Manager of OFK, have arrived at the scene and begun a thorough investigation into the incident. However, no official statements have been released to the media regarding the cause of the explosion or the progress of the investigation. Meanwhile, Ashok Rohani, the Cantt Assembly MLA, visited the hospital to check on the injured workers.
Lapses in safety to be probed
Preliminary information suggests that the explosion occurred while bomb-filling operations were underway in the F-6 section. A sudden malfunction in the hydraulic system reportedly triggered the blast. The injured employees were initially rushed to the OFK hospital for immediate medical attention. When their condition worsened, three critically injured workers—Randhir, Shyamlal, and Chandan—were transferred to a private hospital for further treatment. Investigations are now focused on determining the exact cause of the explosion and identifying any lapses in safety protocols or negligence that may have contributed to the accident.
Alarm among residents living within a 5-km radius
The explosion's impact was so severe that it shook the surrounding area, causing alarm among residents living within a five-kilometer radius of the factory. People living in nearby areas, including Manegaon, Champanagar, and Nanak Nagar, reported hearing the deafening blast and initially mistook it for an earthquake.
A resident of Manegaon, described the intensity of the blast, saying that the vibrations felt as strong as an earthquake before people realized it was an explosion at the factory.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, as authorities seek to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragic accident.