At least 25 killed in India fireworks blast

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - An accidental explosion ripped through an illegal fireworks factory in western India, killing at least 25 people, including 12 children, just days before one of India's biggest festivals.

Police said that another 17 people were hurt after the explosion on Wednesday in the town of Deeg in the western state of Rajasthan, a senior police officer said.

"We have lost hopes of finding any survivors as we are only digging up bodies or body parts," R. Narsimha Rao, a police inspector general in Rajasthan, told Reuters.

The blast came only days before the Indian holiday of Diwali, or festival of lights, when millions of Indians take to the streets to let off fireworks.


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