Worker recounts Dombivli factory blast horror: Everything was over in 5 seconds

Rescuers at the site of Dombivli factory blast/ PTI

"It was like 'pralay' (cataclysm) for five seconds, and everything was over," said Avdesh Kumar, a worker at Dombivli's chemical industry, where an explosion killed nine people and injured over 60 on Thursday. Kumar, who was hurt in Dombivli factory blast, described the mayhem and terror as metal fragments and debris flew in every direction. "The sky was full of flying metal bits and glass. "It was total havoc," he told the journalists after receiving treatment, reported PTI.

According to the PTI report, Kumar described how a "flying 5-kg angle" struck him in the back, resulting in considerable bleeding and discomfort. Kumar sought assistance in the chaos triggered by the Dombivli factory blast, while everyone else was fleeing for their lives. The huge blast devastated the factory, toppling the roof and structure.

"Everyone was running helter-skelter, trying to save their lives. Everything was damaged, with the roof and structure collapsing. Nothing is left now," he said.

The Dombivli factory blast and subsequent fire devastated surrounding factories and homes. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) reported that the plant manufactured food colours and employed peroxides, which are extremely reactive and unstable compounds that can create violent explosions under certain conditions.

Police, in connection with the Dombivli factory blast, arrested two factory owners, including a 70-year-old lady. According to the first information report (FIR), the company failed to take adequate precautions when mixing chemicals, handling finished products, and storing, despite knowing that any lapse could result in an explosion impacting the company and nearby structures.

Dombivli factory blast: KDMC starts helpline for kin of affected persons

The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has asked locals to approach a civic hospital if any of their family members went missing following the recent Dombivli factory blast. On Thursday, an explosion caused by a boiler blast and subsequent fire at Amudan Chemicals in Dombivli MIDC's Phase 2 killed nine people and injured more than 60 others.

The KDMC announced the establishment of a helpline at the civic-run Shastri Nagar Hospital. Citizens can contact the support desk at 0251-2481073 or 0251-2495338. Officials indicated that estimating the precise number of fatalities is difficult because body parts have been collected from the scene. DNA tests will be needed to confirm the death toll.

KDMC reported that 68 individuals were hurt in the Dombivli factory crash. Of them, 42 have been discharged, while 26 are still in various hospitals, including 12 in the ICU. All patients are now stable.