Hapur chemical plant explosion

2022 explosion in Hapur, India

Hapur chemical plant explosionDate| 4 June 2022

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Location| Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Coordinates| 25°39′34.0632″N 83°23′53.8800″E
Cause| Chemical plant explosion
Deaths| 10[1][2]
Non-fatal injuries| 22[1]
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Image source Wikimedia Commons, 2023

On 4 June 2022, a major explosion and fire occurred at a chemical plant in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. At least 9 people were killed and 19 others injured.[1]

Uttar Pradesh, India. Source Wikimedia Commons, 2023

## Details of the disaster[edit]

The explosion took place on a Saturday afternoon[3] at the Ruhi Industries [4] electronic equipment manufacturing unit where 33 people were working.[5] The magnitude caused roofs to blow off houses,[6] with sound travelling 10 km away.[4] The factory was owned by Dilshad of Meerut, and had been leased to Wasim of Hapur.[4] After the explosion, Wasim fled the scene after receiving medical treatment but was later arrested.[7] A forensic science laboratory criminal investigation[8] was launched initiated by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in order to determine the exact cause of the blast.[6]

### After further investigation[edit]

Initial reports were of a burst boiler which had caused the explosion.[8] However the subsequent suspected cause was gunpowder used to manufacture toy gun pellets,[8] because police retrieved plastic pellets used in their manufacture from the scene.[8] This was despite the factory's license obtained in 2021 to manufacture electronic equipment not toy guns.[4]

## Location[edit]

The factory is located in Dhaluana, at the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Corporation governed industrial district of Harpur,[3] 60 Kilometers from New Delhi, the capital of India.[6] Harpur coordinates: 25°39′34.0632″N 83°23′53.8800″E﻿ / ﻿25.659462000°N 83.398300000°E﻿ / 25.659462000; 83.398300000

## Local response[edit]

The local response was rapid.[3] The Chief Minister announced a rescue and relief operation with victims to be supported.[3] Firefighters attended for 3 hours to extinguish the fire,[6] and forensics attended the scene to gather evidence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to those affected,[4] and the state government offered support for the treatment of victims.[6]

## Mortality and morbidity[edit]

Initial reports were of 9 people dead and 19 injured.[3] However, later reports confirmed13 killed and 20 injured.[5] 11 of those who died came from the areas of Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) and Bihar. Wasim, owner of the factory suffered burns and incurred stitches.[7] Victims were taken to hospitals for medical care in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut,[7] including Safdarjung Hospital for optimal treatment.[6]

## Consequences[edit]

The owner and operator of the factory were charged under Indian Penal Code sections 286, 287, 304, 308, 337 and 338.[5] As a result, further investigations were carried out in neighboring factories to ensure licenses were correctly used.[4]

## See also[edit]

* 2022 Sitakunda fire, on the same day
* List of explosions

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c Nayak, Mammath (4 June 2022). "9 Killed, Over 19 Injured in Fire at Chemical Factory in UP's Hapur; PM Modi Expresses Grief". India.com. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
2. ^ "9 Killed In Fire At Chemical Factory Near Delhi". ndtv.com. 4 June 2022. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
3. ^ a b c d e "9 Killed, 19 Injured At Hapur Chemical Factory Blaze Near Delhi (outlookindia.com)". Outlook India. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
4. ^ a b c d e f "Gunpowder used at UP factory suspected behind blast that killed 12 | What we know so far". India Today. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
5. ^ a b c Mehrotra, Vani; News, India TV (5 June 2022). "Hapur factory fire: Gunpowder suspected behind blast; plastic pallets recovered from spot". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023. `{{cite web}}`: `|last2=` has generic name (help)
6. ^ a b c d e f "12 Killed In Fire At Chemical Factory in UP's Hapur". NDTV.com. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
7. ^ a b c "Hapur factory explosion: Unit operator arrested, toll rises to 13". The Economic Times. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
8. ^ a b c d Livemint (4 June 2022). "Uttar Pradesh chemical factory explosion: 9 dead, 19 injured in Hapur district". mint. Retrieved 6 January 2023.