Woman survives chemical factory explosion in India, reunites with husband after 60 hours
Shards of glass struck various parts of my body, and I collapsed onto the floor, losing consciousness. Approximately 30 minutes later, I regained awareness and found myself bleeding profusely. Chaos overwhelmed me.
- 4 months ago
July 29, 2024
Three major blasts occurred in a chemical factory in Mumbai’s Dombivali area which resulted in the loss of 10 lives and injured over 60 people. | Photo courtesy of Priyanka Chandani
MUMBAI, India — Working as an accountant for a factory in Dombivli, Maharashtra, I awoke for work on May 23, 2024, but I felt unwell. For four years, I’d been taking medication to help me conceive, which sometimes adversely affected me. My husband recognized my distress and suggested I take the day off, but I stubbornly refused.
I went to work late at 11:00 a.m. that day and held up in my office. When some colleagues insisted that I join them for lunch, I finally stepped out. After our meal, I made my way to the bathroom to wash my hands. Standing at the basin, a roaring blast shattered the bathroom window. Shards of glass flew through the air and struck my neck, hands, and legs. Immediately, I lost consciousness.
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Surviving the explosion: woman fights for her life
Growing up, I came to believe God gives us signs before something bad happens. On May 23, despite not feeling well, I forced myself to go to work. My husband advised me to take the day off, but I ignored his suggestion. I did not realize at the time, my decision would lead to a life-altering experience.
As I washed my hands in the office bathroom, a sudden blast [at the chemical factory located opposite of my employer] shattered the glass window where I stood. Shards of glass struck various parts of my body, and I collapsed onto the floor, losing consciousness. Approximately 30 minutes later, I regained awareness and found myself bleeding profusely. Chaos overwhelmed me. I couldn’t hear anything and felt numb. Pain radiated through my arms and face. Flames flickered, casting an eerie glow, while debris covered the ground. Amidst it all, my leg throbbed relentlessly.
Within the devastation, I realized no one saw me in the bathroom. The door, which I closed when I entered, lay broken, leaving me isolated. Panic reigned as everyone else fled for their lives. My gut instinct told me something was wrong, even though I could not pinpoint what. At that moment, one clear thought emerged. I needed to fight for my life.
With all my effort, I crawled toward the exit. I saw two other female workers struggling to move, so I helped them. Thoughts of my husband fueled my determination; I did not want to die. Considering how my husband would react to my death, I pushed myself to keep moving. It gave me the courage to get up and run from the building.
Escaping the flames: woman jumps from the blazing building
Summoning every ounce of strength in my body, I rose to my feet in searing pain. Blood and cuts adorned my body, but I pushed through and ignored the agony. Flames engulfed the building, and escape routes became scarce. A girl next to me motioned toward the back door, so I followed her lead. Outside, I saw the road lying eerily empty with only a few people around.
As we reached the second-floor stairs, the fire blocked our path, so I made a split-second decision. I jumped and landed hard on the pavement below. The impact injured me, but I prioritized my survival above all else. As soon as I hit the ground, I sprinted from the back door to the front gate, where police and doctors awaited me.
They whisked me into an ambulance. Exhausted and in pain, I collapsed, but felt grateful to be alive. The factory burned to the ground, and the flames left blurry images of fire and devastation lingering in my mind. During that time, my husband Raju anxiously followed updates on the factory’s WhatsApp group. Desperate to reach me, he called repeatedly, but I could not answer.
His helplessness mirrored my uncertainty, wondering, is she alive or dead. He rushed to the factory and pleaded with the police to let him through. The police claimed ignorance about my whereabouts but mentioned that the ambulances took some people to the hospital. The scene swirled with emergency vehicles and frantic individuals. My husband asked everyone if they had seen me, but no one had any information.
Covered in bandages, husband’s words give comfort: “You are okay, I am with you”
Undeterred, my husband sprinted to the nearby government hospital, checking each ward to find me. He discovered more than 40 people lying there, complicating the search process. He persisted, moving from one hospital to another. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he found me.
I lay on a stretcher, my body stained blue from working in the color factory. My eyes remained open, but I heard nothing. Nurses rushed me to the operating room because of my severe injuries. Relief washed over my husband when he found me alive.
After four hours of surgery, the hospital staff moved me back to the ward. When I regained consciousness after 60 hours, my husband stood by my bed, offering comforting support. The nurses informed me that he had skipped meals for three days due to his overwhelming worry. Emotionally, I cried, not from pain, but from gratitude. The risk and the leap from the second floor felt entirely worthwhile.
Covered in bandages and connected to machines and drips, I held his hand. His words echoed in my heart: “You are okay, I am with you.” We had fought hard for our love marriage against parental objections. Now, as I lay in the hospital, I knew my parents would feel relieved that I chose the right man.
My husband remained strong yet vulnerable. When others asked how he found me, he wept. His tears revealed a depth of emotion I never witnessed before. The explosion spared my life, but true healing began with his unwavering presence.
Together, we cried, grateful for our reunion. I recounted the pain and the fight for survival, and he listened, holding my hand and assuring me everything would be okay. The memory of that day still haunts him. Tears well up in his eyes whenever he recalls his fear of losing me.
Despite severe injuries and financial strain, family and community remain pillars of strength
Despite my severe injuries, including burns on my arms and face, glass fragments in my legs, and numerous cuts and bruises, I remain resolute. I received 14 stitches on my head and 19 on my neck, with additional stitches on my breast. However, I discover new injuries in various parts of my body every day. The road to recovery feels long and arduous. The doctor tells me it will take at least six months. Although I feel constant pain, I remain determined to heal.
During these dire times, my family, especially my supportive in-laws, stand by my side. My boss even visited me in the hospital, offering encouragement and reassurance about my job. In addition, our friends and community provide unwavering support bringing us meals and offering encouragement, which means the world to us.
My husband and I worked in different factories, earning a modest combined income of around $200 each. If I stay home, my husband must cover our household expenses and rent with his earnings. With my medical bills adding to the burden, we face financial strain. Although the state government promised compensation, the process remains lengthy. Despite my worries, my husband is optimistic, promising that we will manage and that everything will be okay.
Strength in love: overcoming challenges with courage and unity
The explosion at the factory irrevocably altered our lives. We joyfully planned to have a child, but now we must put that plan on hold for at least a year. I need to complete my healing process before I can bear a child. To help expedite my recovery, the doctors provided me with a list of precautions.
The scars—both physical and emotional—will never fully heal. However, this experience shifted my perspective. I discovered newfound abilities and courage within myself. My husband gives me strength, and our bond has deepened. We cherish every moment together. Despite being confined to bed for the next two months, my husband takes care of the household chores, work responsibilities, and my health.
Together, we tackle this challenge head-on. We refuse to give up; we will find hope even in the toughest moments. Life remains precious, not just to me, but to my husband too. I will not let him suffer on my behalf. I will stay brave, knowing that his presence gives me the strength to endure the pain.
