Factory fire kills 18 in India’s Pune

At least 18 workers were killed and five others went missing after a major fire swept through a factory firm in Pune district of western Indian state of Maharashtra today, officials said, according to our New Delhi correspondent.

Of the deceased, there were at least 15 women, reports the New Delhi correspondent.

"A total of 37 workers were inside the factory. As per the roll call, initially a total of 17 including 15 women and two men were missing. So far, 12 dead bodies have been recovered," said Devendra Potphode, chief of Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) fire brigade.

He said the firm is into manufacturing, supply and export of air, water and surface treatment chemicals.

Some Indian media reports said the fire fighters had to break the walls on both ends of the factor to enter premises.