The deadly blast at Bhandara’s Ordnance Factory has once again highlighted safety concerns in India’s defense manufacturing sector. While rescue efforts continue, questions are being raised about whether proper protocols were in place. The factory, known for producing explosives and propellants, has witnessed similar incidents in the past. Investigators are working to determine the cause of the explosion.
BY PC Bureau
A powerful explosion tore through the Ordnance Factory in Bhandara district, Maharashtra, on the morning of January 24, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people and leaving seven others injured. The blast, which occurred around 10:00 am in the factory’s RK Branch section, caused the collapse of a roof, trapping several workers inside.
Rescue operations were immediately launched, with firefighters, ambulances, and emergency response teams rushing to the scene. District officials confirmed that twelve people were initially stuck under the debris. While two have been rescued, efforts are still underway to reach the remaining ten. Heavy machinery, including JCB excavators, has been deployed to remove the rubble and facilitate the search-and-rescue mission.
Deadly Explosion at Maharashtra’s Ordnance Factory: 8 DeadMaharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole held the Modi government responsible, calling the explosion a failure of governance and negligence in ensuring the safety of workers at such a critical defense manufacturing facility.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, while expressing condolences to the victims’ families, assured that an investigation had been launched to determine the cause of the blast. As of now, officials have not confirmed whether the explosion was the result of an accident, negligence, or any other factor.
The Ordnance Factory Bhandara, commonly known as OFBa, is one of India’s most important defense production units under Munitions India Limited (MIL), operating under the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence. It specializes in manufacturing high-energy materials, including nitroglycerine-based propellants, explosives, and industrial-grade chemicals essential for India’s military needs.
#WATCH | Nagpur | Blast at Ordnance Factory in Bhandara, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari says, "A big blast has occurred in the Ordnance Factory in Bhandara. In the incident, 8 people have died and 7 people are injured, as per preliminary information."
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari… pic.twitter.com/fnn9n3YmJV
— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2025
The facility, known for its stringent quality standards, also houses NABL-accredited testing laboratories to ensure safety in defense manufacturing. However, its hazardous nature has made it prone to accidents over the years. In 2018, a similar explosion in one of its units resulted in the deaths of four workers, while a fire broke out in 2020, raising serious concerns about safety measures within the facility.
Given its history of such incidents, today’s blast has renewed questions about the safety protocols in place at the factory. Officials are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into whether any lapses in handling volatile materials or structural weaknesses contributed to the tragedy. The families of the victims are demanding accountability and compensation, while defense authorities are likely to conduct safety audits across other ordnance factories to prevent such disasters in the future.
As rescue operations continue, authorities are focused on locating the remaining trapped workers and providing medical assistance to the injured. More details are expected to emerge as investigators analyze the cause of the explosion and its implications for India’s defense manufacturing sector.
