Blast in explosives factory kills many in India

RAIPUR, India (AFP) - A massive blast at an explosives factory in central India killed five workers early Friday, police said.

The powerful explosion completely destroyed the factory, which supplied detonators and other explosives to mines in the mineral-rich state of Chhattisgarh.

"The explosion was so powerful that the entire cement building was totally destroyed and the victims' bodies blown to pieces," local police officer Gurjinder Pal Singh told AFP.

Police are investigating what caused the blast.

Factory accidents are common in India, and are often caused by a failure to comply with safety standards.

A poisonous gas leak at one of India's largest steel plants in Chhattisgarh killed six people and injured more than 31 in June.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.