In an explosion in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district at least 82 people were killed and 49 were injured after a restaurant caught fire.There were explosives stored in a building for making fireworks in a residential area which caught fire affecting other buildings also.

Many others are suspected to be trapped in the debris, the SDOP said, adding that the exact number of casualties will be known once the debris is cleared.

The gas cylinder explosion damaged a number of adjacent buildings, he said. Senior officials from Jhabua have rushed to the spot to launch rescue operations. State Tribal Welfare Minister Antar Singh Arya is expected to reach the site soon.

(With inputs from agencies)