A massive fire broke out at a chemical plant in Ghotawade Phata in Maharashtra's Pune on Monday evening. The fire claimed 18 lives and several others are missing, said the fire department. Search operation is underway.
There were 37 employees in the premises at the time of the fire.
PM Modi condoled the death of the workers and said "Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire at a factory in Pune, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families."
A statement from the Prime Minister's Office stated that the Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs each from the PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to fire at an industrial unit in Pune, Maharashtra. Rs. 50,000 would be provided to those injured.
According to the officials from the fire department of PMRDA (Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority), at least six fire tenders were sent to the plant of SVS Aqua Technologies in the Pirangut MIDC area in Mulshi tehsil to douse the flames.
