An explosion at a firecracker warehouse in southern India has left at least 32 people dead and over a dozen injured.

Most of the victims are shop owners who had come to buy large quantities of firecrackers ahead of the Diwali festivity, the yearly Hindu festival of light marking the New Year. The explosion in the southern state of Tamil Nadu occurred after a blaze had broken out at the warehouse. Two people, including the owner of the warehouse, have been arrested. Explosions are common at Indian fireworks factories and shops that sell them. Many of them are illegal and lack adequate safety measures.

Photo: Flickr / jensjeppe