Nine workers killed in blast at limestone mine in Andhra

- Accident while emptying the quantity of gelatin stick at the mine site

Amravati (Andhra Pradesh), dated 8 May 2021, Saturday

Nine workers have been killed in an explosion at a limestone mine in Andhra Pradesh's Kadapa district. So far only five dead have been identified.

It has become difficult to identify the bodies of the deceased lying in a mutilated condition at the site of the tragedy. Deceased, Chief Minister of the State Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy's home constituency is Pulivendula.

The blast took place while a quantity of gelatin stick was being emptied at a limestone mine on the outskirts of Mamillapalli village, district police said.

The stick-laden vehicle was almost destroyed by the blast. The gelatin stick was brought from Budwell. This limestone mine is legal. Authorized certified operators brought a quantity of gelatin sticks.

The cause of the accident could not be ascertained. Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu has demanded Rs one crore compensation to each of the victims' relatives.