At least six persons have died in what is suspected to be a gelatin explosion at a quarry site in Chikkaballapur near Bengaluru, early on Tuesday, 23 February. Health Minister and district-in-charge K Sudhakar visited the accident site.
This tragedy comes just a month after a similar mishap was reported in Shivamogga district, where six quarry labourers died in a quarry site due to an accidental explosion of a similar nature.
Speaking to reporters, Sudhakar said that the quarry was storing gelatin sticks illegally and in an irregular manner, which led to Tuesday’s explosion, and two persons have been arrested in the case.
"These are illegally held explosives. This will be dealt with law, strict action will be taken," he told reporters.
CM Yediyurappa, PM Modi Express Condolences
Both Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and Prime MInister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the families of the victims and assured strict action.
“The death of six people near the village of Hirenagavalli in Chikkaballapur is shocking. Information has been obtained from the district in-charge minister and senior officials, who have been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation and take stern action against the guilty,” CM BS Yediyurappa said.
He added, “I pray that God may grant peace to the souls of the dead and give their families the power to end this grief. A high-level investigation into the disaster is underway and strict action will be taken against the guilty.”
“Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at Chikkaballapur in Karnataka. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover quickly,” PM Modi said.
In the Shivamogga disaster, a lorry carrying explosives inadvertently exploded killing those on top of the vehicle. Following the incident, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had ordered a drive to check on illegal quarrying and mining setups in the state. He had also ordered that all illegal explosive usage be stopped immediately,
(This story was first published in The News Minute and has been republished with permission.)
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