Six persons, mostly workers, were killed on Thursday and 20 others injured one seriously, when crackers exploded in a fireworks factory in Raigad district of Maharashtra, police said.
The explosion took place around 4.30 pm at the Bhaimala village factory, 10 kms from Alibaug town, they said.
Bodies of six persons, mostly workers, were pulled out from the rubble of the crackers unit, which caught fire due to the explosion.
Six fire tenders were rushed to the factory after the blast following which flames were brought under control.
The deceased have not been identified yet and all the injured were admitted to the civil hospital here.
One woman among the injured is said to be critical and has been shifted to Mumbai, police said.
The factory manager is being quizzed and further details are awaited.
