Tragic Explosion at Cachar Steel Factory Claims Four Lives

A catastrophic explosion at the Ladi Steel factory in Cachar district has led to the deaths of four workers, with another injured. Emergency services responded promptly, and investigations are currently being conducted to ascertain the cause of the incident and evaluate safety protocols. The government has announced compensation for the victims' families, while local authorities are probing previous safety concerns at the facility. This tragic event highlights the urgent need for stringent safety measures in industrial settings.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 26, 2026, 17:39 IST

Incident Overview

Explosion occurred at the Ladi Steel industrial unit at Pangram in Cachar district

Silchar, July 26: A devastating explosion at the Ladi Steel factory in Pangram, located in the Udharbond constituency of Cachar district, resulted in the deaths of four workers, with another sustaining minor injuries around 11:03 AM on Sunday.

Emergency Response

Immediately following the explosion, officials from the district administration and police, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), arrived at the scene. Local residents and factory employees also participated in the recovery efforts.

Cabinet Minister Kaushik Rai stated, “NDRF teams have been instructed to conduct a comprehensive search of the area to ensure no workers are trapped inside.”

Investigation Underway

Minister Rai, who visited the site with Cachar Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar Gupta and Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjib Saikia, noted that the precise cause of the explosion remains undetermined.

“Our primary focus was on recovering the victims and securing the site. A thorough investigation will ascertain the cause of the explosion and evaluate any potential safety lapses,” he added.

Government Assistance

In response to the tragedy, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each family of the deceased workers.

Udharbond MLA Rajdeep Goala informed that three of the deceased were local residents, while the fourth, a driver, hailed from Tripura. The bodies have been sent to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examinations, and the injured worker is currently receiving treatment at Udharbond Hospital and is reported to be stable.

Ongoing Investigations

The Cachar district administration has initiated a magisterial inquiry into the incident, while separate investigations by the Cachar Police and the Labour Department are underway to determine the explosion's cause and assess safety protocols at the factory.

Minister Rai also mentioned that the investigation would look into claims from local residents regarding previous smaller explosions at the facility.

“If such incidents occurred without being reported, that will also be part of the inquiry. We will examine the factory's operations, labor safety measures, and all related circumstances surrounding this tragedy,” he stated.

Management Accountability

In the meantime, the Cachar Police have detained the factory manager and other management personnel for questioning. The factory owners, who were reportedly away, have been summoned to meet with investigators on Monday. The Assistant Labour Commissioner will also conduct a separate inquiry into workplace conditions and safety measures provided to workers.

Cachar SSP Sanjib Saikia confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) would be filed, and a formal investigation would commence. A forensic team from Guwahati is expected to examine the site, collect evidence, and determine the explosion's cause.

Additionally, the district administration is in discussions with the factory management to secure further compensation for the affected families.