1st LD: 2 killed, 21 injured in explosion at paper mill in northern India

At least two people were killed and more than 21 others injured in an explosion at a paper mill in the northern Indian state of Punjab Monday, a police official said.

"The blast took place around 1 p.m. local time (0530 GMT) when the workers were on duty at the paper mill in Malerkotla near Patiala town," the official said on condition of anonymity.

While two workers died on the spot, 21 others sustained burn injuries and rushed to Rajendra Medical College in Patiala, where the condition of some are said to be serious.

Preliminary probe has suggested that the explosion took place due to a glitch in factory machinery, which also led to minor fire in the mill.

Though foul play has been ruled out in the blast, but an investigation has been ordered into the incident, the official added. Endit