Shocking footage shows large explosion at Indian fireworks factory that killed 11

A large explosion at a fireworks factory in India has killed at least 11 people and injured another 150.

Footage shows a plume of smoke and flames bursting into the sky in Harda district in Madhya Pradesh, in the centre of the country.

The cause of the fire is not immediately clear, state officials said.

People could be seen fleeing the area and locals said the force of the blast was so intense that tremors were felt.

Abdul Rayees Khan, a Harda police officer, told Indian media that many casualties had occurred as a result of a stampede in the aftermath of the explosion.

He said: “These are the people who died primarily as a result of a stampede following the blast; we have yet to reach the actual blast site because a fire has broken out and firefighters are working to extinguish it.”

Narendra Modi, the Indian prime minister, said he was “distressed” by the news.

There is a huge demand in India for firecrackers, which are used in religious festivals and weddings. Fatal accidents occur nearly every year as people work in makeshift factories without proper safety measures.

A local source said: “The explosion underscores the inherent dangers associated with fireworks manufacturing and highlights the critical need for stringent safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.”