Shivamogga: More than 15 people were killed in an explosion at a blast at a stone mining quarry in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district, the police said. The possibility of subsequent explosions at the quarry at Hunasondi near village Abbalagere has not been ruled out by the police since some dynamite sticks are still live, the police said.
A bomb disposal squad has been called in and the entire area has been sealed. The people who died in the explosion were reportedly transporting the explosives meant for mining in a truck when the incident happened. The truck was destroyed, the police said.
Ashok Naik, Shimoga Rural MLA, told mediapersons that he too had heard the sound and the tragic incident had taken place in his constituency. “There is a thick smoke everywhere. Can’t see anything. At least six people have died. It could be more. I can’t confirm anything right now,” he said.
While pictures of bodies strewn around did emerge from the site as local first-responders shared them, police said, it would take time for a detailed probe and assessment. The officials have rushed to the accident site. But fearing more blasts, they are moving cautiously, say the locals.
According to some sources, the quarrying was happening for the railway work. However, no clarity yet on what caused this huge blast. The blast occurred around 10:20 pm, resulting in a loud sound and tremors that could be felt in nearby Chikkamagaluru district as well. Many took the mysterious loud sound – which shattered window panes – to be an earthquake and ran out to the streets.
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