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Karnataka quarry blast: CM Yediyurappa confirms 5 deaths, Home Minister confirms two arrests

As investigations are underway after an explosion in Shivamogga on Thursday night, Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the quarry owner and a person who allegedly supplied dynamite to him has been arrested by the police.
 

Karnataka quarry blast: CM Yediyurappa confirms 5 deaths, Home Minister confirms two arrests-dnm
Author
Bengaluru, First Published Jan 22, 2021, 4:57 PM IST

Bengaluru: Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa confirmed that five quarry workers were charred to death in the huge dynamite blast that took place late on Thursday.

The CM also announced Rs 5 lakh as compensation for the kin of the deceased. "Five people have died in the explosion at a quarry in Hunasodu village of Shivamogga district yesterday. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of the deceased will be given," he said, adding that he would visit the spot soon.

Further, he added that illegal mining would be "strictly dealt with" by the government. "We will take action based on the investigation report. We will stop all illegal minings in the state," he said.

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that police have already arrested the quarry owner and the dynamite supplier.

"At the outset it seems a lot of dynamite has exploded there and there's been some negligence by the quarry owner and the operators," he added.

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. Bomb disposal squads have 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.

The blast occurred around 10:20 pm, resulting in a loud sound and tremors that could be felt in nearby Chikmagalur 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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