12 feared dead in Andhra blast

As many as 12 people were feared killed and one injured when a powerful explosion ripped through a private factory, the Indian Detonators Lt...

As many as 12 people were feared killed and one injured when a powerful explosion ripped through a private factory, the Indian Detonators Ltd (IDL), at Moosapet this afternoon. As of now, nine bodies have been recovered.

CM Chandrababu Naidu, who rushed to the factory later in the evening, ordered a judicial probe into the blast. He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh each to kin of the deceased. Naidu said the District Collector would conduct an inquiry into the mishap.

Sources said 13 workers were on shift when the blast occurred in the Detonating Fusing Unit (DFU)-2. Although the exact reason for the blast is not known, sources say, abnormal pressure on a tank where explosive material — PETN Dry Power — was stored could have triggered the blast.

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The blast’s impact was so strong that it blew off the tin-shed, crumbled the wall and turned the machinery into a mangled metal heap. This is the second time that such a mishap has occurred in this 41-year-old factory. In 1982, seven people died in an explosion.

The bodies retrieved were identified as G. Ramesh, Sri Ramulu, N.D. Ramesh Babu, Mallesh, Yadagiri, Kasipati, Yadagiri, Yogesh and Dhanunjaya Rao. Workers alleged that the management never bothered about their safety and demanded an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh to each of the victims’ families.

Premji said that Wipro would partner with the Government "to find a lasting solution for Bengaluru's mobility challenges".

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