Nagpur/IBNS/UNI: At least seven WCL workers were injured in an air blast that took place in the Sillewada coal mine in Maharashtra's Nagpur district, a reliable source said.

According to the sources, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening at around 6.30 pm in which at least seven workers sustained injuries.

Officials initially shifted the injured to a local hospital where they are undergoing treatment.

Later, five of them have been referred to a Nagpur hospital.

The condition of two workers is said to be critical, said the sources.

Sources further said two of these injured are said to be management trainees (MT).

After receiving information, Khaparkheda police and WCL rescue team reached the spot.

After a lot of effort, the laborers were pulled out safely.

Sources said the work of laying cable for blasting was underway in the afternoon in the coal mine located at Sillewada.

But due to hot coal, the cable started melting, resulting in a massive fire in section 6 of the mine, said the sources.

Section in-charge Anil Bobde, Kuldeep Uike, Anil Singh, Vilas Mude, Raju Shyamrao Mistry, Mahipal, and Yogeshwar sustained injuries in the blast.

Trade union leaders alleged that the air blast incident occurred as mine officials failed to take safety measures and demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter and sought action against the guilty.