Dynamite blast in Karnataka’s Shivamogga kills 6, PM Modi extends his condolences

Bengaluru, January 22: Some parts of Karnataka witnessed shockwaves and loud thundering sound after a big dynamite blast occurred at a railway crusher site in Hunasodu village in Karnataka's Shivamogga district. The incident took place at around 10.20 pm.

 

 

District Collector KB Shivakumar informed that there have been 6 casualties so far. The incident took place in a stone crushing unit, where generally, at least 50 boxes of mining explosive material are stored. According to the local police, a lorry carrying the mining explosive material exploded due to unidentified reasons. The blast was so strong that even the bodies of the victims were dismembered beyond recognition.

 

Following this, senior district and police officials including the superintendent of police of Shivamogga rushed to the spot. The entire area has been sealed and senior police officers, including the district superintendent of police, are currently at the sight.

 

 

 

The intensity of the blast was so huge that its impact was felt in neighboring Chikkamagaluru and Davangere districts. Witnesses say that the explosion was so strong that the glass panes of the houses nearby were broken and cracks also occurred on the roads. The explosion felt as if an earthquake had occurred and geologists were contacted.

 

"Nobody should be worried about anything. The entire district team is on alert. Whatever information people get is requested to be shared with the local administration officer. SP and ASP are deployed here. No idea of MLAs of MPs visit. We don't know if there's live dynamite. It's dark, we need a bit of light. We have cordoned off the area," said the Shivamogga DC.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of blast victims. "Pained by the loss of lives in Shivamogga. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover soon. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to the affected," he said in a tweet.