The blast occurred at a plant operated by Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of London-listed Vedanta Resources, in Chhattisgarh, state industry minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan told reporters. "Twenty-four workers were seriously affected when a boiler exploded" at the plant in Sakti district, Dewangan said, with nine killed. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said an "impartial investigation" would be conducted. "Strictest possible action will be taken against all those found responsible," he said in a statement. Vedanta, controlled by India-born billionaire Anil Agarwal, did not comment immediately about the blast. Industrial accidents are common in India, often due to poor adherence to safety regulations and weak enforcement. A fire at a fireworks factory in western India last month killed 17 people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Chhattisgarh blast as "tragic". "I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones," Modi said in a social media post. (Bssnews)