10 workers hospitalized following explosion inside chemical factory in India

NEW DELHI -- At least 10 workers were hospitalized Saturday following a massive blast which triggered fire inside a chemical factory in the southern Indian state of Telangana.

The blast took place inside a chemical factory in Industrial Development Authority, Bollarum on the outskirts of Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana.

"Ten workers have been taken to hospital. Some of them have minor injuries and some had fallen unconscious," a senior official of fire service told Xinhua. "A blast inside the Vindya Organics factory triggered a massive fire. Fire tenders from Kukatpally, Patancheru, and Miyapur are at the spot trying to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading in the area."

Reports said thick smoke and loud noise left some workers unconscious.

Eyewitnesses said thick black fumes of smoke were seen billowing after the factory workers were running away in panic from the factory premises.

According to the fire service officer, the majority of the workers were outside the factory at the time of the explosion which happened during the lunch hour.

"No sooner our teams got the alert call, fire tenders rushed to the spot," the officer said. "The firefighting operation is underway."

So far the cause of the blast was not immediately known.

Police officials have registered a case and ordered an investigation to ascertain the reason that caused an explosion in the factory.

Officials said people in large numbers rushed to the factory to check whether their family members working in the area were safe.