Silchar : At least four workers were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a rod manufacturing unit in Assam’s Cachar district on Sunday, triggering panic and prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

The blast occurred at around 11:30 a.m. at Kade Global Infrastructure LLP in Pangram under the Udharband Police Station area. According to preliminary reports, the explosion is suspected to have been caused by the blast of an LPG cylinder inside the factory. However, officials said the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation.

Police, rescue teams and district officials rushed to the site soon after the incident and launched rescue and relief operations. The bodies of the deceased workers were recovered from the debris and sent for post-mortem examination. The injured were shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for treatment, where several were reported to be in critical condition. Officials said the death toll could rise as some of the injured remain in a serious condition.

Following the explosion, police sealed the factory premises to facilitate the investigation and maintain law and order. Senior officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Cachar, the Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) and other security personnel, visited the site to oversee rescue operations and assess the situation.

The incident sparked protests outside the factory, with angry workers and local residents alleging inadequate safety measures at the industrial unit. Protesters blocked the factory gate and demanded adequate compensation for the families of those killed in the explosion.

Security personnel later brought the situation under control.

Several local residents also claimed that the factory is located in a residential area and alleged that similar accidents had occurred in the past. Family members of some workers further alleged that they were initially prevented from entering the premises to identify their relatives or search for those who might have been trapped inside.

Authorities have launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the explosion and examine whether safety protocols at the factory were adequately followed.  Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday announced an ex gratia of ?5 lakh each for the families of the four workers who lost their lives in the explosion at Kade Global Infrastructure LLP in Pangram under Udharbond in Cachar district.

The deceased have been identified as Appu Baraik, Kiran Munda, Shyamal Gour and Sagar Nath.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister’s Office expressed grief over the tragedy, stating that the Chief Minister had announced financial assistance of ?5 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased worker and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the incident.

Police said all four workers died on the spot. Their bodies were later shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) for post-mortem examination after being identified by their family members.

Udharbond MLA Rajdeep Goala said three of the deceased were residents of the local area, while Sagar Nath, who was employed as a driver, hailed from Tripura. He said the factory owners, who were reportedly out of station when the explosion occurred, have been directed to appear before investigating authorities on Monday.

Goala further said the Assistant Labour Commissioner would conduct a separate inquiry into workplace conditions, statutory compliance and the safety measures available to workers at the industrial unit.

Meanwhile, Assam Cabinet Minister Kaushik Rai, who visited the accident site, announced that the state government had ordered a magisterial inquiry, a police investigation and a probe by the District Labour Commissioner to determine the cause of the explosion and examine whether mandatory industrial safety norms had been followed.

Addressing reporters, Rai said the investigations would also verify allegations by local residents that minor explosions had occurred at the factory in the past. “If such incidents had taken place and were not reported to the administration, that aspect will also be investigated. The inquiries will examine the functioning of the factory, labour safety measures and all circumstances surrounding the tragedy,” he said.

Cachar Police have detained four persons, including the factory manager, for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation. The district administration has also initiated discussions with the factory management regarding additional compensation for the families of the deceased workers.

The explosion, which occurred on Sunday morning, claimed four lives and left several others injured, with some of the victims undergoing treatment at SMCH. Authorities are continuing investigations to establish the exact cause of the blast and identify any lapses in safety protocols.