At least six people were reportedly been killed after an artillery shell exploded at an ordnance depot in Maharashtra's Wardha. The 23 mm shell exploded while it was being unloaded for disposal on Tuesday morning, a defence official said. Over 10 people were injured in the incident.
The shell exploded when it was being taken to an open ground at Pulgaon.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed grief over the incident and said top officials are coordinating relief and rescue operations.
"Saddened by the accident at CAD at Pulgaon, Dist.Wardha, Maharashtra. Gen Manager, Ordnance Factory,Chanda & the dist.admin are coordinating rescue & relief ops. Grateful to SMungantiwar, Minister of Finance for his efforts," Sitharaman said in her tweet.
In May, 2016, at least 16 Defence personnel, including two Army officers, were killed in a massive fire that broke out at one of Asia's biggest ammunition depot in Pulgaon, Wardha. The depot houses the largest stockpile of weapons in the country.
The blast took place when explosives were being destroyed at Pulgaon depot. (File Photo)
Stocks, including bombs, grenades, shells, assorted rifles, missiles and other explosives from various factories, come here first and then distributed to various forward areas.
WATCH: Blast at Army depot in Wardha, 4 killed
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