At least six killed in India chemical factory explosion

At least six people were killed and 20 injured in an explosion at a chemical factory in northern India's Hapur district on Saturday, a police official said.

The accident happened after a boiler burst at an industrial facility in Dhaulana, around 60 kilometres from New Delhi, police spokesperson Surendra Singh told Reuters.

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"Rescue operations are underway," Singh said, adding that the death toll could go up because of a number of people were severely injured.

Industrial accidents are common in India and often blamed on people flouting safety norms, as well as lax inspection by government officials.