Updated June 08, 2017 13:19:54

Photo: Rescuers try to douse the fire after the explosion. (AP)

An explosion at a fireworks factory has killed 23 workers in central India, local news agencies say.

Workers were producing firecrackers in Kheri village, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday afternoon (local time), according to the Press Trust of India (PTI) district police official G Janardhan.

The explosion triggered a blaze that engulfed the factory before firefighters put it out.

PTI reported that 23 people were killed, while another seven were injured and are being treated in hospitals for burns and smoke inhalation.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.

AP

Topics: disasters-and-accidents, fires, death, india

First posted June 08, 2017 12:58:33