Nine killed in explosion in Tamil Nadu, India

NEW DELHI - Nine people were killed in an explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

The incident at the firecracker godown in the Krishnagiri district was caused by a gas cylinder blast at an eatery housed in the same building, local media reported.

The owner of the factory, his wife and their two children were among those killed and a number of people were injured.

Some houses and shops near the explosion site were damaged.

State chief minister M.K. Stalin announced a financial compensation of 300,000 rupees (about RM16,600) each to the kin of the deceased and 50,000 rupees each to those injured. - BERNAMA