India: Stone quarry blast leaves 8 laborers dead

By Ahmad Adil

CHANDIGARH, India

At least eight laborers were killed in a stone quarry blast in Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Friday evening, a senior official said.

The incident happened in Kurnool district.

“There was a blast in a quarry around 8.30 p.m. local time [1500GMT]. We have confirmation that eight people died in the incident,” S.Satyanarayana, the district magistrate, told Anadolu Agency.

Satyanarayana said at least five more people are injured in the incident. “The injured are being shifted to hospital for treatment,” he said.

The state's Information Technology Minister Nara Lokesh said the government is monitoring the situation.

“Deeply saddened by the news of Quarry Blast in Hathi Belgal, Alur in Kurnool district which has claimed many lives. We’re monitoring the situation,” Lokesh tweeted after the incident.

According to a report by Hindustan Times, a local English daily, the impact of explosion was huge.

“Huge blocks of stone from the quarry flung into air and fell on a workers’ shed in which nearly 30 laborers were taking rest after the day-long work,” said the report.