Seven dead and 75 injured in India fireworks factory explosion, say officials

NEW DELHI (AFP): At least seven people died and 75 people were injured Tuesday in a giant explosion at a firework factory in India's Madhya Pradesh, officials said.

"We can confirm seven deaths so far," an official at Harda district hospital in central Madhya Pradesh state said, asking not to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

"We have 65 injured admitted here, and have referred 10 others to a bigger hospital."

The blast occurred in the Harda area of Madhya Pradesh. The death toll is feared to rise as some of the injured were said to be in a critical state.

Ambulances and fire-fighting trucks were deployed to douse the fire and rescue those trapped inside the unit. - AFP