Dombivli chemical unit blast occurred in reactor, not boiler: Minister

Maharashtra labour minister Suresh Khade has said the blast in a chemical factory at Dombivli in Thane district last week occurred in a reactor and not a boiler.

An expert team from New Delhi will conduct a probe to ascertain the exact cause of the blast, Khade told reporters after visiting the incident site on Monday, 27 May.

The blast at Amudan Chemicals unit on 23 May claimed 10 lives and left more than 60 people injured, as per officials.

Khade held discussions with the officials concerned and assured a thorough investigation to find out if the incident occurred due to human error or other factors.

He said the explosion took place in a reactor and not a boiler.

"There is no boiler department in the company," he said.

Khade also said efforts were underway to locate any missing workers, with plans for further examination of the debris if necessary.

He stressed the need for stringent safety measures to prevent such incidents in future.

The labour department would make efforts to secure higher compensation for the blast victims and their families through legal recourse, he added.

Earlier, chief minister Eknath Shinde had announced that the kin of those killed in the blast would be given Rs 5 lakh each and the expenses of the injured would be borne by the government.

The police had arrested Amudan Chemicals owner Malay Mehta (38) after the incident.

The impact of the blast was so severe that it shattered window panes of houses and damaged cars, roads and electric poles in the vicinity.