Delhi : At least 18 Indian workers were killed, while 130 were seriously wounded in a major blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan’s capital Khartoum on Wednesday. India has set up an emergency hotline, while an embassy representative has rushed to the spot.
In a release, the Indian Embassy said, “As per latest reports, but so far not confirmed officially, 18 are dead. Some of the missing may be in the list of dead which we are still to receive as identification is not possible because of the bodies being burnt,” As per its data, seven people have been hospitalised with four in serious condition. Thirty-four Indians who 
survived have been accommodated at Saloomi Ceramics factory residence.
Meanwhile, official sources in New Delhi that 68 Indians were working in the factory at the time of the blast.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has tweeted, “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 Sudanese government has said that there were inflammable materials improperly stored, which led to the fire, adding that an investigation has been taking place.