Rescuers are combing through piles of debris and wreckage to search for bodies after an explosion and fire at a chemical factory in western India killed at least nine people and injured 64 others. The explosion in the factory’s boiler on Thursday led to a fire that affected other nearby factories and houses in Maharashtra state’s Thane district. Two bodies have been identified so far, but seven are burned beyond recognition. The cause of the explosion is being investigated. Disaster response officials said the factory made food coloring and used highly reactive chemicals that can cause explosions. Police have filed culpable homicide charges against the factory owners.
