Police in Andhra Pradesh said that at least 11 workers were killed in a blast in a quarry in the state’s Kurnool district on Friday.
Four workers were also injured in the incident that took place in Hathi Belgal village in Alur ‘mandal’ (block) of Kurnool district, reported IANS.
The injured were admitted to the government hospital in Alur, where the condition of three is stated to be critical. About 20 workers belonging to Odisha were believed to be in a shed when the blast occurred. The police suspect that some more workers could be trapped inside.
A fire which broke out with the blast engulfed the shed before spreading in the adjacent area damaging a few houses near the quarry. Three tractors, one lorry and two sheds were destroyed in the fire. “A case has been registered U/s 304 part-2 IPC, section 3 & 5 of Explosive substances act. We are verifying about the incident. The accused responsible for the incident will arrested soon,” Kurnool SP was quoted by ANI.
The blast which was heard at a distance of more than 10 km sent panic among the residents. The cause of the blast could not be known immediately.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly expressed his grief over the tragedy.
