NEW DELHI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Many people are feared dead in a massive blast that took place Friday at an ordnance factory in the western Indian state of Maharashtra, multiple local media reports said.

The blast took place at the factory in Bhandara district, about 830 km east of Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra.

According to a senior local government official, Sanjay Kolte, the blast occurred around 10:30 a.m. (local time) at the factory, following which firefighters were rushed to the spot to contain the situation.

Rescuers from the health and disaster management department also reached the spot to look for survivors.

The impact of the blast caused the roof of the factory to collapse.

Authorities have brought in an excavator to remove the debris and look for the trapped ones.

"At least 12 people were under it during the explosion. Two of them were rescued, and an excavator is being used to remove the debris," Kolte was quoted in local media as having said. "The rescue operation is underway to look for the trapped ones." Enditem

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