At least 20 people have died and dozens more have sustained injuries in an explosion at a state-run power plant in the north-Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday afternoon.
Many workers were trapped after a boiler exploded at the National Thermal Power Corporation plant in Raebrareli. Many of those injured suffered serious burn injuries.
NDTV reported that a massive fire that followed the explosion and a huge ball of dust made the rescue work difficult.
The corporation said in a statement that there was a “sudden abnormal sound” in a unit of the plant hot flue gases and steam escaped from the opening created by the explosion, which affected the workers in the area.
The plant has now been shut down. A National Disaster Response team was sent to help in the rescue effort.
The injured are being treated at two hospitals including one within the NTPC campus. Those with the worst burn injuries are being taken to hospitals in Lucknow, around 110 km away.
The unit where the explosion occurred was commissioned last year.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted to say that the situation is being closely monitored.
The state government of Uttar Pradesh has ordered Rs.2 lakh ($4,000) for the families of the dead and Rs. 50,000 ($1,000) for those seriously injured.
"As of now, the immediate priority for us is to rush those injured to the best possible treatment and that is being done. All possible resources are being mobilized," said Anand Kumar, one of the senior most police officers in the state.
