The impact of the explosion reached as far as five kilometers on Saturday, July 18

At least nine people are dead and more than a dozen others are injured after an explosion at a fireworks factory in India.

Fire department officials received reports of a blast from a makeshift shed in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, at around 3 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 18, according to The New Indian Express, Bhaskar English and NDTV. The Ramol Police have launched an investigation into the deadly incident.

“[The fireworks] were being manufactured in an open space,” said Commissioner of Police Jaipal Singh Rathod, per India Today.

“The license issued to the operator had already been cancelled. Despite this, the firecracker unit continued functioning illegally,” Rathod added to The New Indian Express. “Eight bodies were initially recovered from the spot, while police, RAF personnel and fire brigade teams immediately launched rescue operations.”

Nine people died in the explosion and 15 others were injured. The wounded were brought to the Civil Hospital and LG Hospital in Maninagar for treatment, NDTV reported.

The explosion’s impact reached as far as five kilometers, damaging nearby buildings and scorching surrounding crops, according to The New Indian Express and Bhaskar English. Footage from the scene shows emergency first responders carrying the injured on stretchers after the blast and recovering bodies from debris, as thick black smoke fills the area.

Factory owner Mehul Dodiya was detained for questioning following the incident, the outlets reported. Police are also expected to question both his factory partner Sadiq Saiyed and his mother and factory operator Ramilaben Dodiya.

The group is accused of operating a fireworks manufacturing factory without a permit on rented land.

Mehul allegedly continued operating at the factory after his license to manufacture fireworks was canceled, The New Indian Express and Bhaskar English reported, citing Ramol Police records. Police are registering the case under the country’s Explosives Act.

“Everyone involved — the factory operator, property owner, partners and any other persons connected with the illegal operation — will be arrested and prosecuted,” Crime Branch Joint Commissioner of Police Sharad Singhal told The New Indian Express.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement, per NDTV, “Extremely saddened to hear about the loss of lives due to a mishap at a fireworks factory in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

“The local administration is providing all possible assistance to those affected,” he continued. Modi added that the families of those deceased would receive Rs. 50,000 ($520) in compensation.

The Ramol Police, Indian Police Service, Ahmedabad Fire Department and RAF did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Source: https://people.com/at-least-9-people-dead-huge-blast-at-illegal-fireworks-factory-12022182