NEW DELHI, April 4: At least five people were killed and 16 others injured in an explosion at a pharmaceutical company in the southern Indian state of Telangana, police said Thursday.

The explosion inside the company took place Wednesday evening at Chandapur village Sangareddy district, about 63 km northwest of Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana. "Last evening an explosion took place in SB Organics Private Limited, a pharmaceutical company at Chandapur village here. It triggered flames engulfing the entire unit," a police official said.

"Five employees of a pharmaceutical company, including the company's co-director were killed and 16 others suffered injuries." Following the incident, firefighters and rescuers rushed to the spot to contain the blaze and removed the injured to hospital. Preliminary investigations revealed a chemical reactor exploded inside the factory, triggering the fire.

According to police, one of the structures at the industrial complex collapsed due to the impact of the explosion. Accidental explosions are common in Indian factories as owners often ignore safety standards.

(Xinhua)