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Explosion inside fireworks factory kills 2 in India

Xinhua, March 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

At least two people were killed and two others suffered burn injures Tuesday in an explosion at a fireworks factory in India's eastern state of West Bengal, India's official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said.

The explosion took place at Budge town in South 24- Parganas district, about 27 km south of Kolkata city, the capital of West Bengal.

"In an explosion at the firecracker factory this evening, two people were killed and two others injured," the broadcaster said. "The dead included owner of the fireworks factory."

Reports said fire tenders and police force rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work.

The cause of explosion was not immediately known. However, primary investigations point at mishandling of the combustible material inside the factory.

Accidental explosions are common at Indian fireworks factories.

Apart from factories, many households in Indian villages are making firecrackers illegally for local religious festivals, weddings and other ceremonies.

Firecrackers are set off during festivals, weddings and other merrymaking ceremonies across India. Endit