Explosion at Indian petrochemicals facility kills six

THE explosion of a methane tank at the Mohit petrochemical factory in Bijnor, India, earlier today has killed six workers and left others in critical condition.

A methane gas cylinder exploded at around 08:00 local time at the privately-owned petrochemicals facility, which triggered a fire. Workers had been welding the tank which had been leaking for the past few days. According to local news reports, safety regulations had been overlooked by factory management, and 12 workers were sent to repair the tank without emptying it. Six people were killed during the explosion, two are in critical condition, and at least one worker is still unaccounted for.

Several hundred protestors, including the families of the workers, have gathered outside the facility demanding action against the factory owner. Police are currently trying to trace the owner of the factory.