A powerful explosion was reported at an ordnance factory in Maharashtra today. At least 8 have been killed and 7 have been injured, Union Minister Nitish Gadkari said shortly after the blast.
The blast took place at 10 am in Maharashtra's Bhandara district. According to initial reports, the blast took place at the factory's LTP section.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that at least 14 workers were present when the roof of a unit collapsed following the blast. District officials claimed that at least two people have been rescued so far.
"After the accident blast in Ordnance Factory Jawahar Nagar Bhandara, firefighters and ambulances have been dispatched to the spot and a rescue operation is currently underway. A roof has collapsed which is being removed with the help of JCB," a district official told news agency ANI.
Several ambulances and firefighters have been rushed to the site. Fire department personnel, police officials, the land revenue officer, and other administrative officials reached the spot of the blast. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has also been deployed.
Reacting to the ordnance factory blast, Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said, "This is the failure of the Modi government."
The cause of the explosion is not yet known. An investigation is underway.
