Death Toll in Thane Factory Blast Rises to 12

Mumbai: The death toll in the boiler blast in a factory at Dombivli in adjoining Thane district climbed to 12 with recovery of another body from the debris on Saturday, an NDRF official said.

"The toll till Friday was 11. We have reports that civilians found a body at the site this morning," a senior National Disaster Response Force official said.

"Six bodies were recovered day before yesterday and four found on Friday. Also, an injured died in hospital, taking the toll to 11 till yesterday," the official said. The rescue work is as good as over, he said.

The deceased included two sons, and daughter-in-law of owner of Probace Enterprises, Dr Vishwas V Vakatkar. Charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder have been slapped on owners of the factory.

"We have sought help from the factory inspector and other departments to determine the exact cause of the blast and fire," a police officials said.

Police have lodged a case against the factory owners under IPC sections 304-A (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), which attracts upto 10 years jail term and a fine, 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).

On Thursday, Dombivli was shaken by a deafening blast which occurred in a boiler in the Probace chemical factory at Shivaji Udyog Nagar of MIDC phase-II area in Dombivli (East). The impact of the blast followed by a massive fire resulted in heavy damage to two neighbouring factories in the MIDC complex.

The explosion impact saw damage to more than 600 houses, offices, shops in the two kms vicinity.

In some homes, locked doors flew off hinges, all glass items, fittings, TV sets, crockery, vehicle glasses and even spectacles worn by people were blown to sharp shreds. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who visited the site on Thursday, has ordered a probe into the tragedy.

Industry Minister Subhash Desai ordered a week-long shutdown of all chemical factories in and around the city to facilitate a thorough safety and security audit.

Police and district officials have started a survey of all the homes, shops, commercial complexes, vehicles and other public and private assets which were hit by the blast.