Wardha: Six people have been killed and 18 were left injured due to a massive explosion in the Pulgaon military ammunition depot in Varsha district of Maharashtra.

This is the second such massive explosion in the last two years as in 2016, 17 Army personnel including two officers were killed after explosions in the ammunition took place in the depot.

“Demolition was being carried out by Ordnance Factory Khamaria, Jabalpur Staff with the help of authorised contractor. Contractual services are used for digging pit and placing sandbag over explosive,” PRO Defence Gp Capt BB Pande said.

“One staff of OF Khamaria and three casual labourer of contractor has sustained fatal injuries. Officials from OF Chandrapur and OF Khamaria have rushed to spot to ascertain the cause of the accident. The accident took place between 0710-0715 hours,” he added.

Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman has expressed grief over the incident and the government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident.