Three killed in chemicals blast at Indian industrial site

AT least three people are dead after an explosion in a chemical factory in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area in Tarapur town, India.

The explosion occurred on Thursday night, and was forceful enough to shatter windows in buildings as far as 3 km away, say local reports.

The first blast occurred in a unit used by Novaphene Specialties, The Indian Express reports. The site manufactures specialty chemicals and cosmetic preservatives dealing in high purity acid and acid anhydrides.

The Indian Express

Initial reports are that a boiler containing industrial solvent burst under high temperature and pressure.

The fire spread to adjoining chemicals factories used by Aarti Drugs, Prachi Pharmaceuticals, Bharat Vasayan and Unimax.

The Indian Express reports that at least two people injured in the blast remain in critical condition. The MIDC site is host to 1,100 chemical plants.

Firefighters from surrounding areas have been called in to help control the fire, which has spread over 0.4 ha, The Times of India reports.