Shocked families search for missing loved ones after Dombivli chemical plant blast

The atmosphere outside Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli, where victims were admitted following the blast at Amudan Chemical Private Limited on May 23, was filled with grief and anger on Friday as families were searching for their relatives, who worked in the factories located in Dombivli. same place.

Each family arrived at the hospital after visiting several other hospitals where the injured were rushed for treatment, as well as the police station. Manish Kumar Das (22), an employee of Cosmos Company, went missing and his family could not find him. “I have been looking for him since morning, visited at least five hospitals and have now filed a missing complaint. He had just started working at the company a month ago; a contractor hired him, but now the contractor has refused to hire him and is not helping us,” said Soni Gautam, Mr. Das’s sister.

Factory owners arrested

The Thane Crime Branch police have apprehended the owners of Amudan Chemical Private Limited – Malti Pradeep Mehta, Malay Pradeep Mehta and others in connection with the blast. The charges include sections 304A (culpable homicide) and sections relating to explosive substances and dangerous chemicals of the Indian Penal Code. Five dedicated teams were tasked with finding them. Deputy Commissioner of Police Parag Manere said: “The two individuals are being questioned and if their involvement is confirmed, they will be arrested.”

Malati Pradeep Mehta, director of Amudan Chemicals Private Limited, was arrested by Nashik police following information provided by Thane police, while Malay Mehta was arrested from Thane.

Police deploy forensic team to identify victims

Archana Shinde has been searching for her brother-in-law Vishal Porwal (39) for five hours. “He worked here, but we didn’t know he was a victim of the explosion. We searched for him last night and went to his cabin in the factory after the incident, where he was last seen. It was too hot and there was a bad smell. Subsequently, we filed a missing complaint with the police at 1:15 a.m. They suggested going to Shastri hospital, but the hospital officials told us to come back tomorrow because due to burns, all the deceased bodies were unidentifiable and required DNA testing.

Mr. Porwal, a resident of Badlapur, started working with Cosmos Company six months ago. “Before the explosion he spoke to my father and we couldn’t reach him after that. Her seven-year-old son keeps wondering whether he suffered minor or serious injuries,” Ms Shinde added.

According to sources, of the 14 injured workers of the Cosmos company, three are in critical condition and one has died.

A Manpada police official confirmed that at least six missing complaints have been received since Friday. To aid identification amid the chaos, a forensic team was deployed to analyze DNA from body parts. “Shastri Nagar Hospital received eight bodies, two of which were handed over to their families after identification. The remaining six bodies are charred beyond identification and DNA testing is required,” a police official said.

According to sources, the total death toll in the blast rose to 10 on Friday. Hospital authorities said: “So far, the total number of injured has been put at 68, of whom 42 have been discharged and 26 are currently admitted, among them 12 are in intensive care. The injured were rushed to seven hospitals, including Neptune, AIMS, SVM Hospital, Shivam Hospital, Shastri Nagar Hospital and Rukmini Hospital.

Buffer

According to a MIDC official, a buffer zone of at least 500 meters should be maintained between the residential area and industries. An MIDC official said The Hindu, “We are only responsible for allotment of plots and provision of basic facilities; the rest is up to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) regarding clearances. The boiler inspector of the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health is responsible for safety audits. The MIDC is spread over 247 hectares, comprising 848 enterprises, including residential areas, according to data from MIDC, Dombivli.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on the shift of industry, said, “No factory can be shifted in a day and these factories (in Dombivli) should be given a alternative space. We have been discussing factory changes for several years. (Former Chief Minister) Uddhav Thackeray did nothing about this, show me proof that he moved a file.