The death toll in the explosion at a stone quarry in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district rose to 11, with one more body being recovered at the blast site on Saturday. 4 August, police said.
The massive explosion at the quarry unit in Hathi Belgal under Aluru Mandal on Friday, 3 August, night had claimed 10 lives and left four seriously injured.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, on Saturday, announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the bereaved, ANI reported.
The CM also ordered the deputy chief minister and the mining minister to go to the spot and monitor the operations.
All the victims are said to be hailing from Odisha and came to Andhra Pradesh for work. The explosion occurred when regular quarrying work was being carried out in the quarry in Hathi Belgal under Aluru mandal, an investigating officer said over the phone.
“At least 20 workers were said to be at the spot when the gelatine sticks used for blasting the quarry exploded. The sudden explosion trapped the workers, triggering the fatalities,” the officer said.
CM Naidu Expresses Shock Over the Incident
Four others who were injured were shifted to a hospital. Search is on to trace if there are any other survivors, the officer added.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident. He spoke to the district authorities and directed them to ensure proper treatment to the injured.
Leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan also expressed grief and extended sympathies to the bereaved families.
(With inputs from ANI.)
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