Hapur chemical plant explosion
| Date | 4 June 2022 |
|---|---|
| Location | Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Coordinates | 25°39′34.0632″N 83°23′53.8800″E |
| Cause | Chemical plant explosion |
| Deaths | 13 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 20 |
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On 4 June 2022, a major explosion and fire occurred at a chemical plant in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. At least 13 people were killed and 20 others injured.[1][2]
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Details of the disaster
The explosion took place on a Saturday afternoon[3] at the Ruhi Industries [4] electronic equipment manufacturing unit where 33 people were working.[5] The magnitude caused roofs to blow off houses,[6] with sound travelling 10 km away.[4] The factory was owned by Dilshad of Meerut, and had been leased to Wasim of Hapur.[4] After the explosion, Wasim fled the scene after receiving medical treatment but was later arrested.[2] A forensic science laboratory criminal investigation[7] was launched initiated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in order to determine the exact cause of the blast.[6]
After further investigation
Initial reports were of a burst boiler which had caused the explosion.[7] However the subsequent suspected cause was gunpowder used to manufacture toy gun pellets,[7] because police retrieved plastic pellets used in their manufacture from the scene.[7] This was despite the factory's license obtained in 2021 to manufacture electronic equipment not toy guns.[4]
Location
The factory is located in Dhaluana, at the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation governed industrial district of Harpur,[3] 60 Kilometers from New Delhi, the capital of India.[6] Harpur coordinates: 25°39′34.0632″N 83°23′53.8800″E / 25.659462000°N 83.398300000°E
Local response
The local response was rapid.[3] The Chief Minister announced a rescue and relief operation with victims to be supported.[3] Firefighters attended for 3 hours to extinguish the fire,[6] and forensics attended the scene to gather evidence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to those affected,[4] and the state government offered support for the treatment of victims.[6]
Mortality and morbidity
Initial reports were of 9 people dead and 19 injured.[3] However, later reports confirmed 13 killed and 20 injured.[5] 11 of those who died came from the areas of Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) and Bihar. Wasim, owner of the factory suffered burns and incurred stitches.[2] Victims were taken to hospitals for medical care in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut,[2] including Safdarjung Hospital for optimal treatment.[6]
Consequences
The owner and operator of the factory were charged under Indian Penal Code sections 286, 287, 304, 308, 337 and 338.[5] As a result, further investigations were carried out in neighboring factories to ensure licenses were correctly used.[4]
See also
- 2022 Sitakunda fire, on the same day
- List of explosions
References
- ↑ Nayak, Mammath (4 June 2022). "9 Killed, Over 19 Injured in Fire at Chemical Factory in UP's Hapur; PM Modi Expresses Grief". India.com.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Hapur factory explosion: Unit operator arrested, toll rises to 13". The Economic Times. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "9 Killed, 19 Injured At Hapur Chemical Factory Blaze Near Delhi (outlookindia.com)". Outlook India. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 "Gunpowder used at UP factory suspected behind blast that killed 12 | What we know so far". India Today. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Mehrotra, Vani (5 June 2022). "Hapur factory fire: Gunpowder suspected behind blast; plastic pallets recovered from spot". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "12 Killed In Fire At Chemical Factory in UP's Hapur". NDTV.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Livemint (4 June 2022). "Uttar Pradesh chemical factory explosion: 9 dead, 19 injured in Hapur district". mint. Retrieved 6 January 2023.