India: Six 'charred to death' in Gujarat after chemical plant explosion

A massive blaze touched off by an explosion at a chemicals plant in India's western state of Gujarat charred to death at least six people before it was brought under control, authorities said on Monday.

The blast on Sunday night took place in a hub for chemical and petrochemical manufacturing units at the state's Dahej industrial estate, but its cause was not immediately clear.

"The factory has been completely gutted," said Rajendrasinh Gohil, a police officer in Dahej. "Six people were charred to death."

Fire officials said they had brought under control the flames at the Om Organic manufacturing plant, about 140 miles (230 kilometres) south of the state's commercial city of Ahmedabad.

Plant officials were not immediately available for comment.

(Reuters)