Massive explosion in India, at least 104 dead.

An explosion today at a restaurant in central India has killed at least 104 people.

"104 people have been confirmed dead. 82 bodies have been recovered, 22 are awaiting burial," AFP quoted ML Gond, a representative of the Jhabua district police coordination office, as saying.

The scene of the explosion at a restaurant in Madhya Pradesh state, central India. Photo: AFP

The explosion occurred at around 8:30 a.m. at the Sethia restaurant in Jhabua district, Madhya Pradesh, India, while dozens of office workers and students were there for breakfast, said Seema Alava, a district police officer.

According to Inspector BL Gaur, there were two consecutive explosions. Their destructive power was considerable, affecting vehicles and some surrounding structures.

Investigators initially believed the restaurant's gas cylinder exploded, but later corrected that explosives stored in a warehouse in the adjacent building were likely the primary cause of the incident, according to India Express.

The area where the explosion occurred. Photo: Google Maps

Rescue efforts are continuing as there is a high possibility that more victims are still buried under the rubble. Residents living in nearby houses have been evacuated.

Television footage showed rescue workers and residents using their bare hands to move pieces of steel and concrete while police cordoned off the scene. They were struggling to contain hundreds of people who had gathered to watch or search for their loved ones. The crowds made it difficult for ambulances and other support vehicles to move.

According to VNE