Death toll in Singaruli blasts rises to 15

With the recovery of five more bodies, the death toll in the explosions that rocked two private factories manufacturing explosives for coal mining has climbed to 15.

"Fifteen persons were killed in the explosion that took place on Sunday in two factories of the Bairhan Industrial area," official sources said on Monday. The rescue operation, which is going on a war footing, is still on and the toll may go up, they said.

The cause of the blast is not yet known and an inquiry will be ordered once the rescue operation is completed. The first explosion occurred in the Ideal Explosives Industries at around 1830 hours on Sunday evening. The explosion had its impact in the neighbouring Rajasthan Explosives Private Ltd also.The blast was so severe that both the factories werereduced to rubble.