Amaravati: Five people, including a teacher, were killed in a powerful explosion during road-widening work at Pinakota village in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district.
The blast occurred while rocks were being blasted as part of the widening of a ghat road. The explosion was so powerful that two vehicles were completely destroyed.
Preliminary reports suggest that a technical malfunction involving an explosive device containing gelatin sticks may have triggered the blast. The deceased reportedly include a driver and three labourers, while the identity of the fifth victim is yet to be confirmed.
Those identified so far include Sunitha, a teacher from Visakhapatnam, and three others identified as Mani, Narayana Rao and Pavan Kumar.
Police and Revenue Department officials rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and initiated rescue operations.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha expressed grief over the deaths and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families. After obtaining details from the District Collector and Superintendent of Police, she directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. The state government has assured the affected families of necessary assistance.
