An explosion at an illegal fireworks factory killed at least 26 people in India's western city of Deeg, in the state of Rajasthan, police said Thursday, reproted CNN.
The Wednesday night explosion at a house caused it and five adjoining houses to cave in, said police Superintendent Rohit Mahajan. People in the house were making fireworks illegally, he said.
By Thursday morning, rescue workers had pulled 26 bodies from the rubble. The dead included 12 children and six women, Mahajan said. The blast wounded 16 others.
"It was a devastating explosion. And most people apparently died after being buried under collapsed houses," Mahajan said.
Police rounded up 10 people for questioning and said they expect to announce arrests soon. A police search of neighboring houses after the explosion recovered fireworks-making material .
"It was an absolutely illegal factory," Mahajan said.
On Tuesday, Indians will celebrate Diwali -- the 'Festival of Light,' when lamps or lights signify the victory of good over evil within people. Many usher in Diwali by shooting home-made firecrackers.
Rajasthan is about 100 miles (160 km) from the Indian capital, New Delhi.