Mumbai/Shirpur: 15 workers were killed while 48 others are critically injured in a blast at a chemical factory in Dhule district of Maharashtra on Saturday morning.
At least 100 workers were present inside the factory, located in Waghadi village in Shirpur taluka, when the incident occurred around 9:45 am, a senior police officer told media.
"Prima facie, multiple cylinders exploded at the factory. At least eight bodies have been recovered by police and rescue teams so far. Rescue operation is on," said the Shirpur police station officer.
Various teams of police, disaster management, fire brigade are conducting rescue operations.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed grief over loss of lives in the explosion. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 Lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased.
