At least nine people were killed and 14 were injured in a gas pipeline explosion at the Bhilai Steel Plant in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, reported ANI. The plant is operated by state-run Steel Authority of India Limited and is situated around 30 km from the state capital Raipur.

The blast took place near the coke oven section of the plant during scheduled maintenance work, The Indian Express reported, quoting from a statement released by the administration of the steel plant.

A rescue team is at the spot and the injured have been taken to a local hospital. “All of them are said to be serious and are admitted to the district hospital,” Durg’s Inspector General of Police GP Singh told the Hindustan Times. “The figures [of the dead] could rise in the next couple of hours.” More than 24 employees were present in the plant at the time of the accident, said Singh, adding that the reason behind the explosion is yet to be ascertained.

A fire that broke out following the explosion has now been brought under control.

On June 12, 2014, six workers at the Bhilai Steel Plant died because of an explosion in the blast furnace.