The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : 3 killed in powerful quarry blast

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 10, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

3 killed in powerful quarry blast

By Our Staff Reporter

SRIKAKULAM, JULY 9. Three persons were killed and two injured in a powerful quarry blast at Rapaka in Ponduru on Thursday evening.

While two bodies were found late last night, another was traced under the rubble this afternoon. The dead were identified as K. Prasad (35) of Anakapalle, G. Srinu of Narsipatnam and Siva of Mallampeta in Routulapudi mandal of East Godavari district.

According to the J.R. Puram Circle Inspector, G.B.R. Madhusudhana Rao, the blast occurred ay around 6 p.m., a little earlier than the usual time when explosives would be detonated because of slight drizzle. The explosion was triggered using a device from behind the quarried hill, Gantikonda.

Ammonium nitrate is mixed with diesel and stuffed in holes drilled in the rocks and they are linked to electric detonators.

According to information, Prasad, a sub-contractor, and Srinu, who owned a compressor that drilled holes, came to the quarry site. They came by a jeep and motorcycle.

Later the jeep had left the site and it was reportedly presumed that the two also left and the blast was triggered. The two, hit by the rocks that exploded and rained on them, died on the spot. The motorcycle lay among the rubble of rocks that exploded from a height of at least 40 metres to 50 metres. Siva was supposed to have been injured. But since he was not found, an earthmover was pressed into service to clear the rubble under which his body lay.

Two other injured persons of Mallampeta -- Nagaraju and Narasimha Murthy -- were admitted in a hospital at Ponduru. By the time the police went to inquire about the incident, they had left. The person, who triggered the blast, was not to be traced.

Mr. Madhusudhana Rao told presspersons at the blast site today that unless the three persons were traced, details about the blast and number of persons present at that time would not be clear.

According to the Inspector, the quarry is given under mining licence to UN Maharia, a company involved in the national highway expansion work. The company sub-contracted it to Appa Rao and Sridhar. They had engaged one Appalaraju who, in turn, put Prasad and Srinu on the work. Villagers of Mallapeta are good in quarrying work.

A case under Section 304(A) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. Mr. Madhusudhana Rao said licences would be verified to check whether there was any violation of the provisions of the Explosives Act.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh