Karnataka: Gelatin sticks blast clams six lives in Chikkaballapura, CM Yediyurappa orders probe

In a midnight incident, a blast occurred at a quarry in Chikkaballapura in Karnataka that left six people dead. As per reports, illegal explosives were being used for quarrying and last night at 12.45 am the blast occurred at a forest area in Mandikal Taluk.

Team Newsable

Bengaluru, First Published Feb 23, 2021, 11:21 AM IST

Bengaluru: Even before the dust could settle down from the blast and death in CM's home district Shivamogga last month at an illegal quarry pit, now similar incident has surfaced at Health Minister's home district Chikkaballapura in which six were killed while amassing illegal explosives for quarrying.

The incident was reported from Mandikal taluk's forest area and the blast occurred at around 12.45 am.

Computer operators Gangadhar and Abhi, engineer Umakanth, watchman Mahesh, and Ramu, a local resident have been identified as deceased.

As per reports, the Tata mini truck driver Riyaz who took five people into a forest area to get the hidden gelatin sticks heard a blast sound and within fraction of seconds, he noticed people were dead. He too has been injured and admitted at the hospital. The reason for the blast is yet to be ascertained.

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar, who is also in-charge of the district, visited the spot on Monday morning and said “these are illegally held explosives, we will take action against those responsible for the incident. The dead bodies are seen in different directions, police are investigating the incident.” “I have briefed about the incident to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and police have arrested two people regarding this case,” he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted regarding the incident and said “Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at Chikkaballapur in Karnataka. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover quickly: PM @narendramodi,” PMO tweeted.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister said that he has spoken to the officials and minister Sudhakar and directed CID officials to conduct enquiry on the incident.

Police raided the quarry earlier this month:

Police raided the BJP leader Gudibande Nagaraj and friends-owned Brahmavarshani quarry on February 7 and recovered explosives. A case was registered at Gudibande Police Station in this regard.

It is said, during the raid, some of the gelatin sticks were taken into the nearby forest and hidden and last night the efforts were being made to bring back those hidden explosives for quarrying.

The police have arrested one person Gangoji Rao in connection to the case and probe is on.

Last Updated Feb 23, 2021, 11:21 AM IST