PM Modi expresses grief over death of 18 Indians in Sudan factory blast

New Delhi, Dec 04: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed anguish at the death of workers, including Indians, in a Sudan factory.

At least 18 Indians were among the 23 people killed and over 130 injured in a horrific LPG tanker blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan.

According to the report, victims are from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Tamil Nadu.

"Anguished by the blast in a ceramic factory in Sudan, where some Indian workers have lost their lives and some are injured. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and prayers with the injured," PM tweeted.

The Indian embassy in Sudan is providing all possible help to those affected, he said.

Also, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar expressed his grief in a tweet saying, "Have just received the tragic news of a major blast in a ceramic factory "Saloomi" in the Bahri area of the capital Khartoum in Sudan. Deeply grieved to learn that some Indian workers have lost their lives while some others have been seriously injured."

"The Embassy representative has rushed to the site. A 24-hour emergency hotline +249-921917471 has been set up by @EoI_Khartoum [India in Sudan]. Embassy is also putting out updates on social media. Our prayers are with the workers and their families," S Jaishankar also tweeted.

"There were inflammable materials improperly stored which led to the spread of the fire," the Sudanese government said and added that an investigation has been launched.