8 Killed in Blast at Ordnance Factory

Eight employees of the ordnance factory in Bhandara district of Maharashtra were killed and five others were injured following an industrial blast on the premises on Friday.

- Faisal Malik

MUMBAI: The employees were trapped for a considerable amount of time under the debris of building number 23 of the factory, which is located in the Jawahar Nagar area, district officials said.

Following the blast, a fire broke out leading to the collapse of the HEX section of low temperature plastic explosive (LTPE) building Number 23, the Ordnance Factory, Bhandara, said in a statement.

"Prima facie, it appears to be an industrial blast that took place where LTPE is being manufactured," Bhandara superintendent of police Noorul Hasan said, adding that they are yet to confirm the actual reason of the blast.

"Thirteen people were trapped under the debris. While eight of them died, we were able to extract the remaining five who have suffered multiple injuries. They are being treated at a private hospital named Laksh," Hasan added.