18 workers died and 17 injured in Pune chemical factory blast on June 7

A massive fire erupted at SVS Aqua Technologies firm in Urawade Industrial area of Mulshi taluka in Pune on June 7. Two powerful explosions took place at 2.30 pm. Around 18 people died and 17 others were injured in the private chemical manufacturing plant. Factory officials, ambulances, water tankers, local police, Pune rural authorities and rescue team had reached the spot as soon as the incident happened. Teams of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) and 5 Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) fire brigades also reached immediately. Fire brought under control after five hours of efforts.

This factory supplies and exports air, water and surface treatment chemicals, systems and solutions. It has around eight industrial units, most of them producing chemical. Total 35 workers were on duty and they were trapped in the factory. The 18 deceased people included 15 women. All victims were the residents of Mulshi taluka. Firefighters were facing difficulties to rescue the people from the company due to this blast. This fire broke out due to short circuit. All injured had shifted to the Sassoon General Hospital for treatment, identification and post-mortem.

Guardian Minister of Pune, Mr. Ajit Pawar announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased on behalf of the Maharashtra government. The Central government has also announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and ₹ 50,000 for the injured.