Up to three people were killed Monday in a firearms ammunition factory explosion in Vlasim in central Czech Republic, the town mayor told local media.
"There are probably two to three people [dead]," Mayor Ludek Jenista told Czech Radio, citing information from officials on site.
Company Sellier & Bellot: 3 employees missing after explosion rocks their gunpowder factory in #Vlasim, #czechrepublic.
— Filip Horký (@FilipHorky) 21 сентября 2015
Firefighters spokesman Ladislav Holomcik says an unspecified number of workers are still missing and rescuers so far are still unable to enter the scene of the explosion.
Approximately 320 metric tons of gunpowder blew the Sellier & Bellot manufacturing plant roof about 164 feet in the air in a blast that took place at around 1:30 p.m. local time (11:30 GMT).
Preliminary information about the cause of the explosion suggest handling negligence.