NEW DELHI, April 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed and 40 others injured on Tuesday after a boiler exploded inside a power plant in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, multiple local media reports said.
The blast took place at the Vedanta power plant in Singhitarai village of Sakti district, about 228 km northeast of Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.
"Ten people were killed and over 40 others injured in an explosion at a power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district on Tuesday," local television news channel NDTV quoted police as saying.
According to the news channel, some workers are feared trapped at the site.
The injured have been moved to nearby hospitals for treatment. According to local government officials, the condition of some of the injured was stated to be critical.
Immediately after the explosion, authorities rushed officials from police, fire and emergency services, health and disaster management to the spot to carry out rescue efforts.
Preliminary information revealed the blast occurred in a boiler tube of the power plant at around 2:30 p.m. (local time) when workers were on their lunch break.
TV footage showed columns of smoke emanating from the power plant.
Accidental explosions are common in Indian factories as owners usually ignore safety standards. ■