Seven killed in crackers factory blast

Aurangabad (Maharashtra), Jan 28 (PTI) Seven teenagers
were killed in a blast at an illegal firecracker factory in
Neknur in India's western state of Maharashtra Wednesday.

Four rooms of the factory were completely destroyed in
the blast and some of the debris was thrown 500 feet away,
police said, adding 10 injured were admitted to the civil
hospitals in Beed and Neknur.

The factory owner, identified as Shaikh Saleem, who is
at large following the incident, was running the factory
illegally for last seven years, they said.

The deceased were identified as Puja Sudhakar Hingole
(15), Reshma Sudhakar Hingole (18), Shaikh Rani Shaikh Salar
(17), Shaikh Rukhsana Rafique (18), Shaheen Mohammed Rafique
(15), Bhagyashree Santosh Sonowne (13)and Rajshri Santosh
Sonowne (16), they said.

An inquiry will be conducted, Superintendent of
Police Suhas Warke said. PTI CORR
PMR