MEERUT, July 24 -- Two workers were killed and two others, including a contractor, went missing after a powerful explosion ripped through Rana Fire Works factory in Naya Gaon under the Gangoh police station limits of Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur district on Friday evening. Police said rescue operations were continuing and the death toll could rise.

The blast, which occurred at around 5 pm, was heard nearly two kilometres away, triggering panic in nearby villages. The explosion reduced a section of the factory to rubble, sparked a blaze and scattered human remains over a wide area.

Saharanpur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Abhinandan said, "Two people have been confirmed dead after a blast at a firecracker factory in Naya Gaon under...