Cylinder explosion at Chemical Factory in Dhule, Maharashtra, kills 13 and injures 58 earlier today. It is reported that a number of nitrogen gas cylinders exploded at the chemical factory by 9:45 AM.

The incident happened at the Rumit Chemsynth Pvt. Ltd. Chemical Factory in Dhule, Maharashtra.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a leaking barrel triggered a fire in the chemical factory and caused the nitrogen cylinders to explode.

At the time of the incident, at least 100 workers were at the Rumit Chemsynth Pvt. Ltd. Chemical Factory.

The fire was controlled hours after the explosion happened, the State Disaster Response Force, fire department, and the police conducted search and rescue operations after the fire got under control.

Local residents said that the explosion sound was so loud that they ran out of their houses.

The government of Maharashtra announced that the family members of the killed victims are going to receive Rs. 5 lakh as compensation.

The injured workers were rushed to the Dhule Civil Hospital and the Shirpur Cottage Hospital.

Home Minister Amit Shah released a statement about the incident on Twitter.

Anguished to learn about the loss of lives due to explosion at a chemical factory in Dhule, Maharashtra. Have spoken to CM @Dev_Fadnavis, state govt is doing everything possible to assist the people in need. My condolences with the bereaved families. May injured recover soon.

— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 31, 2019