Harda (MP): Six persons died and at least 50 sustained injuries owing to serial blasts at a fireworks factory in this district headquarters on Tuesday.

It was officially learnt that the unit is located within a colony on the outskirts. The facility has a couple of godowns. The maiden explosion occurred at approximately 1130 hrs following which the factory went up in flames. The blasts were heard, and vibrations experienced over a radius of several kilometres.

Fire brigade vehicles from here and adjoining districts were requisitioned. Experts’ teams were rushed from Bhopal and Indore. Those hurt are being brought to Indore and Bhopal. The factory employs dozens of labourers and hundreds of people reside in the vicinity.

There is an apprehension of an increase in the number of casualties.