India
oi-Ashish Rana
Five lives were lost in a road construction accident in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning after an attempt to break rocks with explosives ended in a deadly blast. The explosion took place in Pinakota village of Ananthagiri mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju district, killing a teacher and four others.
Five people, including a teacher and road workers, died in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Saturday morning after a road construction blast caused by equipment malfunction destroyed two vehicles in Pinakota village.
The blast also destroyed two vehicles. Police and revenue officials rushed to the location after receiving information about the incident and began rescue operations.
Explosives Used To Clear Rocks Go Off Unexpectedly
The explosion occurred while work was under way to widen a ghat road. Workers were using a special device fitted with gelatin sticks to break rocks and clear the way for the expansion project.
According to police, the equipment malfunctioned during the operation, causing the explosives to go off unexpectedly.
“A special device equipped with gelatin sticks was used for the blasting of rocks for the road expansion works on the ghat road. However, the equipment misfired during the explosion,” police said.
Teacher And Road Workers Among Five Dead
The victims included the driver of a vehicle, three workers involved in the road project and a teacher who was travelling along the road in the opposite direction.
A police officer confirmed the deaths, saying, “The driver and three workers died in the accident. A teacher who was going in the opposite direction also lost his life.”
The explosion was powerful enough to destroy two vehicles at the site. Four victims have been identified as Sunitha, a teacher from Visakhapatnam; Mani, from Devarapalli; Narayana Rao, from Chiedakada; and Pavan Kumar, from the Kadapa region. The fifth victim’s identity has not yet been confirmed.
Authorities Begin Probe Into Fatal Accident
Police and local revenue officials reached the site and started rescue operations. The circumstances surrounding the equipment malfunction are being examined as authorities work to establish further details about the incident.
The blast has raised concerns about the risks associated with using explosives during road construction in hilly areas. Further information about the investigation is awaited.
