By IANS
Mumbai : At least three people were confirmed killed while five were injured, one seriously, in a blast inside an explosives-manufacturing unit at Sinnar in Nashik district Saturday. Thirteen people were reported missing and feared trapped in the collapsed building.
Special Inspector General of Police in-charge of Nashik Range P.K. Jain said that three bodies were recovered so far. The five injured people have been admitted to hospital, he told IANS over phone from Nashik.
The blast took place inside the premises of Premier Explochem Ltd, located near Paste in Sinnar taluka of Nashik district, sources in the Maharashtra police headquarters said. The blast took place past midnight.
Police officials said that the unit, which is located in a secluded place, used to manufacture Class-2 explosives, which are generally used in road construction work and digging wells.
While police have questioned a few people, they are tight-lipped about what could have caused the explosion.
Superintendent of Police Nashik Range Nikhil Gupta was supervising the investigations and rescue work.
Deputy Chief Minister R.R. Patil, who also holds the home portfolio, Public Works Department Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, also the Guardian Minister of Nashik district, and state Cooperation and Rehabilitation Minister Dr Patangrao Kadam reached the spot to assess the situation.
The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs.100,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs.15,000 to those injured.