At least eight people were killed and three injured in an explosion that occurred in a firecracker factory in Uttar Pradesh's Badaun city Friday, PTI reported. "At around 4.00 pm, there was an explosion in a licensed firecracker factory in Rasulpur village under Civil Lines police station," Badaun Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ashok Kumar said. "Seven persons died on the spot, while one person succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Three injured persons have been admitted to the district hospital. Their condition is serious," he said. The intensity of the blast was so strong that people in the nearby area of the factory, such as an adjacent cycle shop and passers by were also allegedly injured, the SSP said. "Two passersby were among those killed," he said. The district administration immediately began rescue operations and discharged firefighters and brigades to the site for evacuation of the victims. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister took cognizance of the incident and directed Badaun's district magistrate to take the necessary step in order to provide relief to those injured. (With inputs from PTI)
