At least 11 workers were killed and several others injured in a massive explosion at a fireworks factory near Kotilingala area on the outskirts of Warangal town in Telangana on Wednesday.
The incident took place in the afternoon at the warehouse of Bhadrakali Fire Works, where more than 25 workers were engaged in packaging of firecrackers.
The factory is located close to the Enumamula market yard in the city. The reason behind the explosion is not yet known.
However, it is being said that there was a huge stockpile of crackers at the factory that was being prepared for a massive order.
The entire roof of the factory was blown off and the surrounding sheds were burnt to ashes.
Even the houses near the site suffered cracks in their walls due to the impact of the blast.
Four fire engines were rushed to the spot to put the out the fire, but with smoke billowing in the area and fire crackers continuing to burst for a long time, the rescue operation proved to be difficult.
Many workers are still believed to be trapped inside the warehouse. The injured were immediately rushed to MGM government hospital in the city.
The toll is expected to go up once the rubble is cleared.
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao in a statement expressed grief over the incident.
He announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to each of the families of the victims and directed the authorities to provide better medical care to the injured at the government's expense.
