By: Pramod Kumar
Eighteen people were killed in a fire at a chemical factory in the western Indian city of Pune, police said.
The police said 20 people had survived the blaze on Monday (7) and the charred bodies of all those killed had been recovered. An inquiry has been ordered by the district administration.
The fire was at a plant where chemical manufacturer SVS Aqua Technologies makes products including hand sanitizers, local media reported.
Footage shared on social media showed a thick plume of smoke billowing out as fire crews fought the blaze.
Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire at a factory in Pune, Maharashtra. Condolences to the bereaved families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 7, 2021
Prime minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on Twitter. His office said the next of kin of these killed would receive Rs 200,000 ($2,750) from a relief fund, and people who were injured would receive Rs 50,000. SVS Aqua Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.