INDIA – Nine people were killed and at least 32 others injured in an accidental explosion at Nowgam police station in the Indian-administered Jammu & Kashmir.

The explosion which occurred late Friday, was triggered by the unstable nature of chemicals while authorities were extracting samples from a large cache of confiscated explosives.

“As part of the prescribed procedure, the samples of the recovery had to be forwarded for further forensic and chemical examination. On account of the voluminous nature of the recovery, the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) team has been carrying out this process for the last two days,” Prabhat, the Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police told reporters.

“Unfortunately during this course, around 11.20 pm last night, an accidental explosion took place. Any other speculation into the cause of this incident is unnecessary,” he added.

Among the dead were three members of the Forensic Science Laboratory, two officials from the Revenue Department, two police photographers, one officer from the State Investigation Agency and a tailor.

The injured were taken to hospitals for treatment.