At least 8 people killed and more than 20 are injured in the blast at an illegal candle-manufacturing factory in Modinagar, Gaziabad. Among them 7 were women and one 16 years old minor.
All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital where they are undergoing medical treatment.
Around 3 pm the explosion took place, prodding immediate deployment of police and fire-fighters at the spot, police officials said.
Chief fire officer Sunil Kumar Singh said, the outburst caused explosion wasn’t huge in itself, but the intensity of the blast caused the girders and the ceiling to collapse. NDRF team was looking for bodies under the debris till late evening. There were reports of two minor girls missing since the blast.
Cause of the explosion was not immediately clear official said. In talk with factory worker they informed that it was so sudden that most did not get a chance to escape.
Around 32-40 daily wagers were there in the factory who had joined work to increase the family and come during the Lockdown.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also took cognisance of the incident, and expressed Condolences on the death of people.
The administration has announced a compensation of ₹4 lakh each for the families of the dead workers and each injured will be given ₹50,000.
