A major fire has broken out at a firecracker factory in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, reports ANI.
At least 18 people have been killed and many are feared injured in the incident. An NDTV report said 50 people are feared trapped under the rubble.
Fire tenders are being rushed to the spot to bring the situation under control.
The incident took place around 4 pm at the factory located in a residential area, Inspector General (Border Range) SPS Parmar told PTI. "At least 10 people, mostly workers, died in the blast," Pamar said.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been deployed for the rescue operations.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Gurdaspur MP Sunny Deol took to social media to express their grief.
"Deeply anguished to learn the loss of life due to the blast in the firecracker factory in Batala. Rescue operations are underway with the DC and the SSP heading relief efforts," the chief minister tweeted.
"Saddened to hear about the news of blast in Batala factory. NDRF teams and local administration have been rushed for rescue operation," Deol wrote.
(With PTI inputs)