Massive explosion in West Bengal fireworks factory kills 10

A massive explosion in an illegal fireworks factory in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district has killed at least 10 people, injuring more than 10.

The incident happened at Nilganj village panchayet area's Meshpole Pashchimpara at around 10am (local time) on Sunday.

Fire service, police, and combat forces are working together to rescue the victims.

Locals said the concrete-made building was demolished in the blast. Human bodies were thrown as far as 50-100 metres with the force of the blast. At least 100 houses in the neighbourhood were also damaged.

Claiming that local police were turning a blind eye to the illegal operations of the fireworks factory, locals vandalised police vehicles when they came to the area after the blast.

The death toll may rise further, the locals said. It is assumed that some bodies are still buried under the rubble.

/KN/