Goa, July 18 -- At least eight people were killed and more than 10 others injured after an explosion ripped through an illegally operating firecracker manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad on Saturday, police said. The blast occurred at a factory functioning in an open area along the Ramol-Gatrad Road.

The death toll, initially reported as two, climbed to eight as rescue teams continued search and relief operations. The injured workers were rushed to nearby hospitals, where they are undergoing treatment.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police Jaipal Singh Rathore, preliminary findings indicate that around 12 to 15 workers were present at the site when the explosion took place. Officials said firecrackers were being manufactured in the open...