18 dead in India chemical factory fire
The police said 20 people had survived the blaze and the charred bodies of all those killed had been recovered
- 20 people survived the blaze.
- Charred bodies of all those killed recovered.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences.
A fire at a chemical factory in the western Indian city of Pune killed 18 people, police said Monday.
The police said 20 people had survived the blaze and the charred bodies of all those killed had been recovered. An inquiry has been ordered by the district administration.
The fire was at a plant where chemical manufacturer SVS Aqua Technologies makes products including hand sanitizers, local media reported.
Footage shared on social media showed a thick plume of smoke billowing out as fire crews fought the blaze.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences on Twitter.
His office said the next of kin of these killed would receive 200,000 Indian rupees ($2,750) from a relief fund, and people who were injured would receive 50,000 Indian rupees. SVS Aqua Technologies did not immediately respond to a request for comment.