Initial investigations have revealed that gunpowder used in manufacturing toy guns, which was found at the site, could be the reason behind the blast at a chemical factory in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur.

Twelve people were killed and 20 injured when the boiler exploded on Saturday.

Police officials have said that some long plastic cartridges have been recovered from the premises of the factory.

Preliminary probes suggest that some cartridges that are used in toy guns were also manufactured in the factory.

Sources said that the explosion was so strong that its sound was heard 10 km away and some of the factories located in the vicinity were damaged.

The blast took place at a factory named Ruhi Industry in Hapur.

Inspector General Parveen Kumar said according to the preliminary probe, the owner of the factory has been identified as Dilshad.

The factory manufactured electronic equipment and got its licence in 2021.

Hapur district magistrate Medha Roopam said that a committee will be formed to probe the incident. Police have accessed the footage of the entire factory to know the exact cause.