A tragic accident shook Kirti Chemicals Industries in Mandya, Karnataka, on Sunday morning when a chemical storage tank exploded, killing two workers and injuring three others. The incident occurred around 10 am, disrupting operations at the factory and sending shockwaves through the local community. Emergency services rushed the injured to Mandya MIMS Hospital for immediate treatment.

According to eyewitnesses, the explosion happened while workers were attempting to open the tank cap using a gas cutter, which ignited residual chemical vapours. The workers were part of a new project that had begun only a month ago. The contractor, Guddu Khan, was reportedly absent from the site at the time of the incident.

Factory worker Rajiv Kumar stated that six to seven employees were working near the tank when it exploded. He described the chaos following the blast and confirmed that the injured were immediately assisted and taken for medical care. The victims were relatively new employees and not fully familiar with all safety protocols and chemical handling procedures.

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Another worker, Aman, who was not present at the time, confirmed that one of the deceased, Kallu, was his uncle. Aman added that he had been at the factory for only a month and was unaware of the specific chemicals involved in the project. The fatalities were identified as Akash and Kallu, while Qasim and two others were hospitalized.

The explosion highlights concerns over safety measures at chemical plants, especially with new projects involving inexperienced workers. Police officials have registered a case and launched an investigation into the circumstances, focusing on adherence to safety protocols and proper handling of hazardous materials.

Authorities continue to probe the incident, examining whether negligence or lapses in safety procedures contributed to the blast. Meanwhile, further details about the specific chemical involved and the overall impact on the factory’s operations are awaited.

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