K’taka mine blast: 6 dead; probe ordered

Six persons died on the spot in an accidental explosion of gelatin sticks early on Tuesday near the stone quarry unit situated in Hirenagavalli village of the district bordering Bengaluru.

Among the deceased were quarry engineer Ramu, computer operator Abhi, manager Umakanth and 3 labourers. The only survivor of the accident, Ansari, a driver, is recovering at the district hospital and is out of danger, officials confirmed. Sources said District Superintendent of Police Mithun had inspected the site more than once in the last month.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Commissioner of Chikkaballapur, R Latha said that the SP himself had started a probe against the facility and had inspected it in the last two weeks. “The explosion is likely to have occurred as they were hurriedly trying to hide or dispose of the explosives as they were scared of the police. Even yesterday, the local police had seized a compressor vehicle from the site. But the police could not spot the explosives in the site,” Latha told the media.