Manila, July 8 -- Two employees of a firearms manufacturer were killed in an explosion at a manufacturing plant in Marikina City on Monday afternoon, the police said.

Marikina City Police Chief Col. Geoffrey Fernandez said the fatalities were employees of Armscor Global Defense Inc. One of the victims, 34, succumbed to chest injuries at around 5:15 p.m. on Monday while being treated at the hospital. The second victim, 44, lost both hands and was pronounced dead at around 8:40 p.m. the same day.

"Nakakalungkot na balita. Dalawa yung naiulat na binawian ng buhay (Sad news. Two have been reported dead.)," Fernandez said in a radio interview Tuesday.

As to the cause of the blast, Fernandez said, "According sa ating investigator, nakabalot ...