Lime quarry blast kills 10 in AP

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, May 9

A blast in Mamillapalli village of Kalasapadu Mandal of Andhra Pradesh killed 10 labourers while they were unloading gelatine sticks at a limestone quarry. Many others were seriously injured.

The State Minister for Mines said the accident occurred because “rules and procedures were not followed while unloading the explosive”.

About 20 workers were on the spot, unloading gelatine sticks when the blast occurred. Following the explosion on Saturday, the police could initially identify only six victims as the bodies were badly mutilated. Kadapa Superintendent of Police KKN Anburajan today said all bodies had been identified now.

He said the accident took place due to the inept handling of the explosive by the contractor’s men at the limestone quarry. He said a case had been registered and two persons taken into custody.