20 injured in explosions at ordnance factory in central India

At least 20 people were injured in a series of high-intensity explosions that rocked an ordnance factory in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh Saturday night, a senior police official said.

"The cause of the explosions is not ascertained yet. But the explosions triggered a fire inside Ordnance Factory Khamaria and fire tenders have been pressed into service," he said.

"Those injured have been admitted to a nearby army hospital, where five are said to be critical," he said.

Local TV channels reported, quoting unnamed sources, that some workers may have been trapped under the debris of the factory building which partially collapsed in the impact of the explosions.

"Indian army personnel have arrived at the spot and joined the fire fighters in the rescue work. Reports of some people being trapped inside is being verified," the police official said.

The ordnance factory was established in 1942. It manufactures ammunition components, hardware, shell, primer and cartridge cases for medium and high calibre ammunition for the defense sector.

Explosive filling and assembly of medium and high calibre ammunition including small arms are also done at the factory.

source: Xinhua