Brazilian rocket explosion kills 20

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- Brazilian rocket has exploded just days before its scheduled launch, killing at least 19 people and injuring 20 others, Voice of America reported.

Brazilian officials said one of the four main boosters on the rocket ignited Saturday, setting off a huge explosion, VOA said.

The explosion sent a thick plume of smoke in the air over the Alcantara Launch Center, near Brazil's northern coast.

The blast collapsed the launching pad, killing civilian technicians who were finishing tests for the VLS rocket's launch, which was supposed to be next week.

The rocket was to transport two satellites, which would have made Brazil the first Latin American nation to launch a satellite into space on its own.

This was Brazil's third space attempt. A rocket six years ago crashed into the ocean and officials had to destroy another rocket two years later when it developed problems minutes after takeoff.