India, Feb. 28 -- At least 18 people were killed and several others injured in a massive explosion at the Suryasri Fireworks Centre in Vetlapalem village of Samaralakota mandal in Kakinada district on Saturday afternoon.

According to reports, the explosion occurred around 2 p.m. at the fireworks manufacturing unit located next to the Godavari Canal, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the premises. The impact of the blast was so severe that the sound was heard nearly five kilometres away, while dense smoke filled the surrounding fields. According to locals, the force of the explosion even caused cracks in the roof of a private school in a neighbouring village.

Eight seriously injured persons were shifted to nearby hospitals, with si...