Factory explosion kills 9 in central India

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI, India (AA) - Nine people were killed and 14 others injured on Tuesday in an explosion at a factory in central India, officials said.

The blast occurred in a pipeline near the coke oven section of Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh state.

The plant is operated by the state-run Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the country’s largest steel-maker in Bhilai city.

“There was a fire in a gas pipeline of Coke Oven Battery Complex during a scheduled maintenance job. Some persons working at the site sustained burn injury. All resources have been mobilized to provide adequate care to the injured,” said SAIL in a statement.

Meanwhile, Durg district police chief GP Singh told Anadolu Agency: “Those injured have been admitted to the district hospital. The fire has been controlled.”

Last year, 43 people died in a blast at a power plant in Uttar Pradesh state.