India, April 1 -- Eighteen persons lost their lives while five others were injured on Tuesday after an explosion and blaze ripped through a godown where firecrackers were allegedly stored and manufactured illegally, leading to the structure collapse in Banaskantha district, officials said.

The explosion, which occurred at approximately 9:45 AM, flattened the godown in an industrial area near Deesa town, around 30 km from the Banaskantha district headquarters.

"All the deceased persons were originally from Haliya village in Harta district of Madhya Pradesh," said district collector Mihir Patel.

The blast was so intense that it sent body parts of workers flying 200-300 metres away. The impact brought down the RCC slab of the structure. ...