Seven Injured, 11 Missing As Massive Fire Engulfs Pharma Unit In Maharashtra's Raigad

As many as seven persons got injured and 11 others went missing after a massive fire, led by an explosion, engulfed a pharmaceutical company in Maharashtra's Raigad district on Friday, news agency PTI quoted police as saying.  

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The explosion took place at around 10:30 am at Blue Jet Healthcare Company in the Mahad MIDC area. The blast triggered a massive fire as the flammable chemicals kept in barrels exploded. The deafening blast was heard with a thick dark smoke emanating from the factory premises.

Earlier, the authorities said the fire broke out first and led to a blast in the factory. As per reports, workers were present inside the unit at the time of the incident. Seven of them sustained serious burns and were rushed to the hospital.

During rescue and search operation, over 11 persons, who were present inside the factory during the blast, were found missing, the agency said quoting officials.  

Ten vehicles of firefighters were rushed to the spot. The blaze was doused after a fervid engagement. Officials said search and rescue operation faced hurdles due to fire and inflammable materials dispersed at the premises.

However, the actual cause of the fire could not be ascertained.

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Police and fire brigade teams are carrying out the search operation and a team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been roped in, he said.