Footage showed the mangled remains of the equipment on the ground as rescue workers pulled out bodies and searched for survivors at the site in Shahapur - about 50 miles (80km) from Mumbai in the western state of Maharashtra.

A number of injured have been taken to hospital.

India's Prime Minster Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a message on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

His office said in a post: "Pained by the tragic mishap in Shahapur, Maharashtra.

"My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives."

His government announced relief assistance of 200,000 rupees (£1,894) for the families of the dead and 50,000 rupees (£474) for the injured.