Explosion in Andhra Pradesh stone quarry claims 10 lives

Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool has witnessed a giant explosion in the stone quarry killing 10 labourers.

An investigating officer added that the victims were from Odisha and had come 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.

The impact of the blast was powerful enough to toss huge chunk of rocks into air, which apparently fell on the workers shed in which nearly 30 labourers were taking rest after the day-long hard work.

Three tractors were blazed by the explosion, another shed got completely destroyed.

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Though eight bodies of the workers were taken out of the shed but some more people were believed to be crushed under the stone blocks.

The injured were immediately taken to Aluru government hospital. All the labours are said to be from Odisha.

“At least 20 workers were said to be at the spot when the gelatin sticks used for blasting the quarry exploded. The sudden explosion trapped the workers, triggering the fatalities,” the officer said.

He added that at least 10 people were killed and four injured, who were shifted to a hospital. Search was on to trace if there are any survivors in the shed.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his concern over the incident and have directed the concerned department to ensure proper treatment of the injured.