Six killed in blast at cracker factory in UP

Six people, including the owner, were killed and several others injured in a blast at a cracker factory in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.

Ifran Khan, CO Etah Sadar, said "The blast happened in a house where crackers were being made. The license of the cracker factory was in the name of Munni Devi. The blast happened after a cracker caught fire while some family members were preparing food beside the cracker packaging work. A total of six people were killed while several were injured in the blast. The injured have been admitted to hospital."

The District Magistrate, Senior Superintendent of Police and several other officials rushed to the spot as soon as the incident was reported.

It has been said that around 15 people were present in the factory when the blast occurred. Some people are still trapped in the debris and a rescue operation is on.

The deceased have been identified as Anjali (11), Sheetal (16), Khushi (7), Rajni (21) and Munni Devi (50). The sixth victim is yet to be identified as the body has been disfigured so badly due to the impact of the blast, that it is difficult for the medical authorities to ascertain whether it is a female or a male.IANS