At least 9 killed in blast at limestone mine in Andhra

KADAPA DISTRICT SP K ANBURAJAN SAID THAT THE BLAST OCCURRED WHEN A CONSIGNMENT OF GELATIN STICKS WAS BEING UNLOADED

AMARAVATI: At least nine workers were killed in a blast at a limestone mine in Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, police said. So far, officials have been able to identify only five bodies.

Kadapa district Superintendent of Police K Anburajan told PTI over phone that the blast occurred when a consignment of gelatin sticks was being unloaded at a limestone mine on the outskirts of Mamillapalli village. The gelatin sticks were brought from Budwel.

“It is a licensed limestone mine and certified operators had brought the consignment. The blast occurred when the sticks were being unloaded,” Anburajan said. The cause of the mishap was yet to be established, the official said.

Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy spoke to the Kadapa district officials and expressed grief over the death of the workers and extended sympathies to the bereaved families, a CMO release here said.

The deceased include people from the chief minister’s constituency Pulivendula.

Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu too expressed shock over the mishap and demanded that the victims families be paid an ex-gratia of ₹one crore each.