Maharashtra: 6 killed, 10 injured in explosion in Pulgaon Army depot in Wardha

Mumbai, Nov 20: At least six people have been killed and ten were injured in an explosion inside the Army explosive depot in Maharashtra's Wardha city on Tuesday morning. The blast took place in Pulgaon around 8:00 am when disposal of old explosives was being carried out. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital.

Confirming the incident, the police said that three persons including ammunition factory employee and two labourers have been killed. The blast happened while unloading ammunition of 23mm.

It is learnt that the demolition ground at Central Ammunition Depot, Pulgaon was given to Ammunition Factory, Khamaria for their demolition activities.

Speaking on Pulgaon explosion BB Pande, Defence PRO Nagpur said,''While carrying out the demolition of old explosives by the staff of Ordnance Factory Khamaria, Jabalpur at the demolition land in Pulgaon there was an accident. In the incident 3 labourers & 1 staff of ordnance lost lives.''

Maharashtra Government declared a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the kin of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for those critically injured in the explosion.

In May, 2016, at least 16 Defence personnel, including two Army officers, were killed in a massive fire that broke out at one of Asia's biggest ammunition depot in Pulgaon, Wardha. The depot houses the largest stockpile of weapons in the country.

Stocks, including bombs, grenades, shells, assorted rifles, missiles and other explosives from various factories, come here first and then distributed to various forward areas.