At least 14 people were killed in southern India earlier when a state-owned gas pipeline exploded.
The blast sparked a massive fire that destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of neighbouring villages in the state of Andhra Pradesh, authorities said.
Officials at the state-run Gas Authority of India Ltd said 14 people died and 15 others were injured in the fire following the pipeline explosion in the state’s East Godavari district.
Doctors at a nearby hospital said at least four people remain in a critical condition, company officials said.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister N. Chinna Rajappa said the explosion occurred at about 5.30am in Nagaram village, the site of a connecting station for the gas company.
The explosion sent flames shooting up into the pre-dawn sky.
The fire burned for more than three hours before it was brought under control, Mr Rajappa said.
Company officials said it was too early to say what could have caused the blast.
Nagaram village is about 560km east of the state capital, Hyderabad.
