The blast took place on Wednesday morning.

Tamil Nadu Neyveli Lignite Power Plant Explosion Live Updates: At least five people are reportedly dead and 17 injured in a boiler blast at Neyveli Thermal Power Station in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. The blast occurred in Unit 5, Plant 2. Read in Tamil

Tamil Nadu: 5 dead, 17 injured in #Neyveli boiler blast https://t.co/qBH9ZSpNBe pic.twitter.com/0d3GTr9xLU

Activist Nityanand Jayaraman said the five killed were contractual workers. He said this is the second blast at the factory since the lockdown was imposed in March.

More details awaited.