Bhilai, October 9: At least nine people died and 14 others were injured in a fire that broke out after a blast at the Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday. A search and rescue operation was underway as some people are believed to be trapped. Of those who were injured, some were taken to hospital in critical condition. The cause of the blast was not immediately known.

The fire at the Bhilai Steel Plant was triggered by a blast in a pipeline. A senior police official said six people were confirmed dead. It was not clear whether the blast led to a gas leak at the plant. Further details were awaited.

The Bhilai Steel Plant of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is the country's first and main producer of steel rails, as well as a major producer of wide steel plates and other steel products.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 09, 2018 01:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).