3 killed in Punjab factory blast

Chandigarh: At least three persons were killed and 11 injured in a powerful blast in a food processing factory in Punjab's Patiala district, police said on Tuesday.

The blast is believed to have taken place early on Tuesday in the ammonia gas cylinder of the Himalaya Fresh Protein factory located near Shambhu, around 55 km from here.

The condition of three of the injured was reported to be serious and they were referred to the PostGraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here.

The other injured were rushed to the Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Police were investigating the cause of the blast.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced an ex-gratia compensation for the victims and also announced a magisterial probe into the blast.