NEW DELHI, Aug. 4, 2018 (BSS/XINHUA) – At least 11 labourers were killed
and four others wounded in a dynamite blast inside a stone quarry in southern
Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, officials said Saturday.
The blast occurred Friday night inside a granite stone quarry at village
Aluru mandal in Kurnool district, about 412 km southwest of Amaravathi, the
main city in Andhra Pradesh.
“Last night a blast took place inside the quarry here during which 11
labourers were killed and four others were wounded critically,” a local
government official said. “The blast took place after the gelatine sticks,
which are used in blasting, exploded.”
The blast triggered fire resulting in gutting of tractors, lorry and a
makeshift shed.
Locals said the explosion was heard in the neighbouring villages and caused
cracks in the residential houses.
According to officials, the bodies of labourers scattered near the blast
site were removed to a hospital by the police for post-mortem.
Officials quoting eyewitnesses said 15 labourers were present at the spot
when the blast went off.
Following the blast, local authorities immediately rushed police teams and
firefighters to the spot to douse the flames and carry out rescue work.
Policemen have restricted the movement of people into the quarry fearing
there might be more explosives that can go off anytime.
Police officials have registered a case to ascertain the cause of the
blast.
Preliminary investigations suggest mishandling of the explosives which are
highly inflammable.
Meanwhile, the identities of slain victims, who are said to be migrant
labourers, were being ascertained.
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his
condolences to the bereaved family members.