According to reports, the death toll in the blast at an explosives factory in Maharashtra`s Nagpur has raised to nine, with the last survivor passing away from his injuries on Sunday, according to officials.
Dande Hospital`s director, Dr. Pinak Dande, told PTI that Pramod Chavare passed away on Saturday night from his burn injuries at a private medical facility, reported PTI.
The blast took place at around 1 p.m. on Thursday at Chamundi Explosives Pvt. Ltd. in Dhamna village, under Hingna police station limits, around 25 km from the city.
Nine injured people were subsequently admitted to two private hospitals in the city. While six of them reportedly died during treatment on Thursday, three others succumbed over the last two days. The deceased included six women.
According to the police officials, most of the victims were working in the factory`s packaging unit when the explosion took place.
The police on Friday arrested Jay Shivshankar Khemka (49), the factory`s director, and manager Sagar Deshmukh. They were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Hingna. The two were soon granted a cash bail of Rs 50,000 each on Friday.
A case has been filed against the two accused under Indian Penal Code sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances), 304 (a) (causing the death of any person by doing any rash or negligent act), and 338 (causing grievous hurt by doing any rash or negligent act), the police said earlier.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari visited the blast-affected factory along with officials.
“The factory management has assured to provide Rs 25 lakh to the families of each deceased, while the state government will give Rs 10 lakh to the kin of each victim,” he said.
The factory is located in Dhamna village under Hingna police station limits, around 25 km from Nagpur city.
The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, also visited the site. He said the guidelines prescribed for such factories should be strictly implemented. As per reports from PTI, he demanded Rs 35 lakh compensation and a Rs 20,000 monthly pension for the families of the deceased in the Nagpur factory blast.
(With inputs from PTI)
