THANE: At least five workers were killed and 140 others injured when a massive blast ripped through an industrial unit in Dombivli township of the district near here today, police said.
The mishap occurred at about 11.30 AM when cylinders exploded triggering a blaze in the chemical manufacturing unit of Probace Enterprises at Shivaji Udyog Nagar of MIDC phase-II area in Dombivli (East).
Such was the intensity of the blast that the shock wave generated by it shattered window panes of adjoining buildings and shocked people were seen running helter-skelter, an eye-witness said.
“The death toll stood at five and the number of injured is 140,” said District Disaster Control Officer Dinesh Kurhade.
Meanwhile, clarifying the name of the company, the district publicity department tonight stated in a release that the correct name of the firm is “Probace Enterprises” and not “Herbert Brown Pharmaceutical and Research Laboratories (a unit of the Acharya Chemicals) as it had stated earlier.
Probace Enterprises mainly deals in hazardous chemicals.
Due to the explosion, roof of some of the houses in the vicinity flew away while some huts were damaged. The explosion has created a big crater at the site.
Among the injured are those who were hit by flying glass shards. (AGENCIES)
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