In a tragic incident in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, three workers, including two women, were killed, and nine others were hospitalized after a gas leak at the Myanmar Chemical Company in Shalgaon MIDC, Kadegaon tehsil. The accident occurred on Thursday evening when a reactor at the fertilizer plant exploded, releasing toxic chemical fumes.
Police reports indicate that the explosion led to a significant gas leak, with ammonia suspected as the chemical involved. Among the deceased were Suchita Uthale (50) from Yetgaon and Neelam Rethrekar (26) from Satara. Additionally, a security guard also lost his life in the blast. Emergency teams rushed the injured, including several workers, to nearby hospitals, with five individuals receiving intensive care at Sahyadri Hospital in Karad.
Senior Inspector Sangram Shewale from Kadegaon Police Station confirmed that emergency teams responded promptly. “The immediate cause of the explosion is under investigation, and the authorities are ensuring the safety of the affected area,” he stated.
Sangli’s Superintendent of Police, Sandip Ghuge, revealed that ammonia is likely the gas responsible for the fatalities, citing its highly toxic nature when exposed to humans. This incident has raised serious concerns about safety protocols in industrial zones, particularly in chemical plants.
The local administration has promised an inquiry into the causes of the explosion, and local authorities are coordinating efforts to support the victims’ families. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains in shock over this preventable tragedy.
