Factory Blast Kills Nine In India

At least nine workers were killed and several injured in a blast at an explosives factory in Nagpur, a central district in Maharashtra state, a local police officer said.

The blast occurred early this morning at a factory run by Solar Industries India, the police officer surnamed Salve said.

The factory manufactures industrial and military explosives, as well as propellants and warheads for India’s defence sector, according to Solar Industries’ website.

The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, Salve said, adding that the number of casualties could increase.

Meanwhile, police are still investigating the cause of the blast, which occurred in the factory’s packing area.

Solar Industries India confirmed in a statement to the stock exchange that nine workers had been killed.

They said it was investigating the causes of the accident and what corrective and preventive actions needed to be implemented.

REUTERS/Christopher Ojilere