A powerful explosion at a metal processing factory in Raipur's Urla Industrial Area claimed the lives of three workers on Tuesday evening, raising serious questions over industrial safety standards and the alleged employment of a minor in hazardous work. The blast occurred at the 3D Innovation factory in Bendri, with the impact so severe that body parts of the victims were reportedly found scattered up to 200 metres from the accident site.

Police, forensic experts and labour department officials have launched an investigation into the incident, focusing on the cause of the explosion, adherence to workplace safety norms and allegations that workers were assigned high-risk duties without proper training or protective equipment.

Blast During Oxygen Cylinder Replacement

According to preliminary information, the explosion occurred while 17-year-old Arun Pandey was reportedly replacing an oxygen cylinder in the factory's tapping unit. Arun, a resident of Janjgir-Champa, died on the spot.

The other deceased were identified as Lal Singh, a resident of Dindori district in Madhya Pradesh, who also died instantly, and 25-year-old Kamal Singh, who succumbed to his injuries while being shifted to hospital.

The force of the blast caused extensive damage inside the production unit, with human remains reportedly scattered across a large section of the factory premises.

Eyewitnesses Recall Moments of Horror

Workers present at the site described scenes of chaos immediately after the explosion.

Ramkumar Devangan, who was working in the tapping section, said the factory was plunged into darkness following the blast. When electricity was restored around ten minutes later, workers found the bodies of their colleagues and severed body parts lying across the shop floor.

He said the victims were young workers and expressed grief over the loss, adding that he himself survived by chance.

Workers Allege Lack of Safety and Training

Several employees alleged that they had been assigned furnace-related work without receiving formal training.

Surya Bhan Singh, a worker from Umaria district in Madhya Pradesh, claimed he had joined the factory three months ago and was directly deployed in the furnace section without any safety orientation. He further alleged that workers were not provided with adequate protective gear.

Another worker, Ankit Singh, said even basic safety shoes were not supplied by the management and employees were reportedly asked to purchase them on their own.

Food Being Cooked Near Furnace

Workers also claimed that some employees were preparing food near the tapping unit using heat generated from the furnace after their cooking gas cylinder had run out.

Authorities have not confirmed whether this had any role in the explosion, but investigators are examining all possible factors that may have contributed to the accident.

Minor Employment Under Investigation

One of the key aspects under investigation is the alleged employment of 17-year-old Arun Pandey in hazardous industrial work.

His family alleged that despite the risky nature of the work, adequate safety arrangements were absent and workers were not provided with essential protective equipment.

Legal experts note that employing individuals between 14 and 18 years of age in hazardous industries such as factories and mines is prohibited under Indian law. Violations can attract criminal prosecution, imprisonment and financial penalties if established.

Factory Operations and Probe

The 3D Innovation factory has reportedly been operating in the Urla industrial area since 2005. The company is engaged in pig iron refining, ferro silicon production and related industrial manufacturing activities.

Police, the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), the Labour Department and other concerned agencies are examining whether safety protocols were followed, whether statutory norms were violated and whether negligence contributed to the fatal explosion.

Officials are also expected to investigate the factory's compliance with labour laws, worker training requirements and occupational safety standards before fixing responsibility for the incident.