Eight die in blast at ordnance factory in Maharashtra

Eight workers have been killed and seven others injured after a massive blast tore through an ordnance factory in the Bhandara district of India’s Maharashtra, reports NDTV.

"In Bhandara, at the ordnance factory, a major mishap has taken place, resulting in the death of eight people and injuries to seven others,” said Indian Union Minister Nitin Gadkari.

“This is preliminary information.”

Gadkari asked for a minute’s silence to pay respects to the dead.

The blast occurred in the LTP section of the factory around 10:30am, Bhandara District Collector Sanjay Kolte told NDTV.

Firefighters and medical staff are at the scene to try and contain the situation.

The blast caused a roof to collapse and trap over a dozen workers. Since rescue efforts began, three people have been rescued alive and one was found dead.

An excavator was used to remove the debris, according to Kolte.

NDTV reports that the blast was so intense that it could be heard from 5 km away.