A blaze broke out at a firecracker factory in southern India on Sunday, killing at least 20 people and injuring six others, police said.
Local police chief N Shreenatha told AFP that "20 people are confirmed dead" after the incident at a licensed factory in Tamil Nadu state's Virudhunagar district.
Rescuers were still operating at the site, he said, adding that the cause of the the blaze was unknown.
Industrial accidents are common in India, often due to poor adherence to safety regulations and weak enforcement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a social media post, extended his "condolences to those who have lost their loved ones" in the "deeply distressing" incident.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the deaths were "tragic", expressing his "immense sorrow" in a post on X.
An explosion at a power plant in central India this week killed more than 20 people.
Last month, another fire at a fireworks factory in western India killed 17 people.
FP/MI
Fire at India firecracker factory kills 20
Trump says US delegation heading to Pakistan for Iran talks
Journalist database to be prepared: Information Minister
Chamak seeks BNP nomination for reserved women’s seat
BCB to honour Rubel ahead of second Bangladesh-New Zealand ODI
Load shedding increases amid energy crisis
First in Bangladesh: One Tap for Help— ‘Survivor’s Path’ SOS App
No bar on 18 April head teacher recruitment exam
A New Horizon of Trust through Active Field Supervision
Police officer dies of ‘gunshot from his own weapon’ in Khulna
