India chemical plant explosion kills one, injures four
13 May 2013
On May 13, an explosion destroyed the Chemistar plant at Dombivli near Mumbai, killing one and injuring four. According to the Times of India, police suspect that lack of maintenance was responsible for the blast, although an investigation is still taking place and the exact cause of the incident is not yet known.
Manpada police senior inspector Ramakant Mehre said, "On the basis of the preliminary report, we have registered a negligence case against the company administration. We have held the administration responsible as they did not carry out maintenance work. But, no arrests have been made."
The police are also taking technical help from the safety inspector department of the state government. In the past, several fatal accidents, including poisonous gas leakages and fires, have taken place in Dombivli's MIDC area. There have been demands to shift these industries out of the city limits as large numbers of residential buildings have been built in adjacent areas.