One killed,12 hurt in factory blast

The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals in Vapi where their condition is reported to be critical.

Authorities have approached factory inspectors and Forensic Science Laboratory officials to ascertain the exact cause of the blast.

According to the Fire Brigade,a blast took place in one of the vessels where some chemical process at high temperature and pressure was under progress,at Arson Chemicals in Vapi GIDC,Phase II.

The explosion tore the container apart,strewing metal pieces across the premises and the nearby area,and also split the columns and beams supporting the container.

The Fire Brigade,district collectorate officials from Valsad,factory inspectors and the police rushed to the site after learning of the incident and started rescue operations.

Sources said the factory was previously a sick unit and was recently purchased by the Mumbai-based Aarti Group,which had started production of some chemical.

Praveen Modi,the chief fire officer of Vapi GIDC Fire Brigade,said: “We are trying to find out the reason behind the mysterious blast,but we suspect that something wrong might have happened in one of the vessels. Forensic teams from Surat are trying to find out the cause of the blast. We have come to know that over 10 operators were working in the night shift in the factory.”

Valsad Superintendent of Police D B Vaghela said,“We have called experts like factory inspectors and FSL officials from Surat to find out the exact cause of the blast.”

A case of accidental death has been registered and further investigations are on.