Bharatpur (Rajasthan), Oct. 23 : At least 22 persons including 12 children died and 35 injured in a tragic explosion that ripped through an illegal fireworks factory at Deeg in Bharatpur region of Rajasthan today.

The explosion took place in a house of a firecracker maker in the Deeg town. The blast caused a major fire, which engulfed a few houses in the neighborhood.

Meanwhile, 10 people allegedly involved in illegal manufacturing of firecrackers were arrested after the explosion at Deeg. The explosion affected six other houses which collapsed due to the impact of blast.

There are at least 1,500 such illegal factories around each of India''s major cities.

Months prior to Deepavali, illegal fireworks factories spring up in many parts of the country and almost all of these employ children despite ban on underage children.

In spite of the law preventing child labour, poor children work at these makeshift factories, which are often located in people''s homes and shanties. (ANI)