9 killed in solar factory blast in India

At least nine persons died and several others were injured in a solar factory blast in India's southwestern state of Maharashtra on Sunday, reported Xinhua, quoting local police.

"This blast happened at the time of packing in the cast booster plant in the Solar Explosive Company. More details awaited," media reports quoted Superintendent of Police (Nagpur Rural) Harsh Poddar as saying.

The injured were admitted to a local hospital.

According to a report by India Today, the company where the blast happened dealt with the supplies of explosives and other defense equipment for the country's defense department.