Nagpur, March 1 -- Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday announced that the State government will provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the explosion at an explosives factory in Raulgaon in Nagpur district.

According to the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office, apart from compensation by the State, the company concerned will also extend financial assistance to the families of the deceased.

Fadnavis described the explosion at the Raulgaon factory as "extremely unfortunate and tragic," confirming that 17 people died and 18 others have sustained injuries in the incident.

An eye-witness speaking to ANI, "I tried to pull out as many people as I could... We put them in o...