TIA NEWS /
17 Army men have been killed in a major fire at ammunition depot in Pulgaon in Wardha district of Maharashtra. The fire that broke out at the Central Ammunition Depot around midnight, has been brought under control.
According to District Information Officer Anil Gadekar, this fire which caused two major explosions claimed 17 lives, including 15 Defence Security Corps (DSC) jawans and two officers. Also 19 others have been injured and are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Sawangi.
The fire has been brought under control. Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze.
People living in nearby villages like Pipari, Nagjari and Agargaon were evacuated to safer place.
District Collector Shailesh Naval and Additional Superintendent of Police Smita Patil visited the site to supervise the relief work.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis are likely to visit the depot.
The area has been cordoned off and nobody is being allowed to enter the premises.
The central ammunition depot at Pulgaon is one of India’s biggest ammunition depot.
It’s located around 110 km from Nagpur. It recently got an award for using solar energy for disposing expired ammunition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief at the loss of life in Army’s depot, where 17 armymen have died. In a tweet, he has expressed solidarity with the bereaved families. He has also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured people.
The Prime Minister has asked the Defence Minister Manohar Parriker to visit the accident site today.
Army has ordered an inquiry into the incident. The central ammunition depot at Pulgaon is India’s biggest ammunition depot as stocks from various factories comes here first and is then distributed to various forward areas.
“Deeply saddened and pained to learn of the deaths of Jawans and Officers in the fire at Central Ammunition Depot in Maharashtra. My prayers are with the families of the victims. I hope those injured in the accident are given due medical care and support” said Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in a message .