NEW DELHI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were killed and about 10 others injured in a blast at an illegal firecrackers-manufacturing factory in India's western state of Gujarat on Saturday, local police confirmed.
The sudden blast led to a massive fire at the factory premises, the police added.
The mishap was reported from Gujarat's Ahmedabad city, and the cause of the blast could not be known yet. The firecrackers-making unit was being operated illegally, said the police.
Around 15 people were working at the firecrackers-making unit when the blast occurred. Nearly 10 people had been hospitalized, some in a critical condition. The death toll was feared to rise.
Expressing grief over the loss of human lives, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced monetary compensation to the victims' families. ■
