A devastating explosion ripped through a firecracker factory in India’s Kaushambi district on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 11 people, eight of whom were children between the ages of four and 13. The force of the blast was so intense that it caused several neighboring homes to collapse, trapping those inside. Local police official Satnarayan Prajapat confirmed the grim death toll, noting that a number of other victims sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.

The incident has once again turned a spotlight on the chronic issue of workplace safety within India’s manufacturing sector. Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the explosion, but industrial accidents of this nature remain alarmingly frequent due to lax regulatory enforcement and poor safety standards. Unfortunately, this catastrophe follows a string of similar deadly events earlier this year, including major fires at fireworks facilities in both western and southern India that left dozens dead.