Chemical Plant Blast Kills At Least 4 Workers, Injures Others

Firefighters were sent to the Gharda Chemicals Ltd. plant in Ratnagiri, India Saturday morning after an explosion and fire occurred at the facility, according to accounts by local news organizations. Reports said at least four people were killed and an unknown number were injured in the incident.

A response was initiated after the blaze and explosion were reported at the site around 9:15 a.m., police told the Free Press Journal. The burnt bodies of four people were found inside the plant.

40 to 50 people became trapped in the chemical plant after the explosion happened and had to be rescued, IndiaTVNews.com reported. The news broadcaster said a boiler is eyed as the potential cause of the incident.

In a separate report by The Hindustan Times, a Gharda Chemical official said a short circuit caused the fire.

The injured were taken to area hospitals for treatment. Officials are looking into the cause of the incident.

Gharda Chemicals, established in 1967, manufactures pigments, polymers, intermediates, veterinary products, agrochemicals, and public health products, information on the firm’s website states. The company operates five production plants in India.