At least seven people were killed and 75 injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in India.

At least seven people were killed and 75 injured on Tuesday in a massive explosion at a fireworks factory in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, local authorities said.

“We can confirm seven deaths so far. We have admitted 65 injured people and transferred 10 more to a larger hospital,” said an official from the Kharda district hospital where the incident took place, who did not want to be named.

Footage broadcast on Indian television channels showed flames shooting high into the sky after the explosion at the plant. Dozens of ambulances were sent to the scene, as well as army helicopters to transport the wounded.

About 15 fire engines were mobilized to put out the massive fire that engulfed the factory, said Kailash Chand Parthe, a senior district official who is coordinating rescue efforts at the factory.

“At least eight people were seriously injured. We are here at the scene and focused on rescuing and transporting people to hospitals, so we cannot immediately confirm the death toll,” Parte told AFP.

“So far we have managed to rescue about 70-75 people with various injuries. All of them were taken to local hospitals,” Parte said.

The plant employed between 200 and 300 people, but it was unclear how many were inside the building at the time of the explosion, the government official added.

“Due to the force of the explosion, at least 10 buildings around the complex where the incident took place were damaged,” the official said.

Explosions are a common occurrence in illegal fireworks factories in India.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called the explosion “very sad news”, adding that doctors at the burn units of major nearby hospitals were “making necessary preparations” to receive the injured.

“Ambulances from neighboring areas are being rushed to Kharda and the army has been contacted to arrange for helicopters,” Yadav said in a post on social media platform X.