At least 11 people were killed and 36 others injured in an explosion at a firecracker factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on Friday, officials said.

The explosion occurred in the afternoon at the privately owned factory in Virudhunagar district’s Achankulam village, some 500 kilometres from state capital Chennai.

‘While 11 charred bodies were found, those injured have been rushed to a local hospital. Firefighters are looking for survivors,’ a police official said.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives.

‘An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each has been approved from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to a fire in Virudhunagar,’ the Prime Minister’s Office tweeted. (Agency report)