Four killed in gelatin explosion

Four workers were killed when gelatin sticks illegally stored in a stone quarry exploded accidentally at Mushtaghatta village near Kurugod of Bellary taluk on Monday afternoon.

Mahadev, 25, of Gadiganur village in Hospet taluk, Doddabasava, 30 and Karibasava, 30, of Badanahatti village died on the spot. Nagaraj, 25, of Kurugod village - who was severely injured - died at VIMS Hospital in Bellary.

A huge quantity of gelatin sticks were stored in a hut at the Bhagyodaya stone crushing unit. It is run under the partnership of Jaganmohan Reddy and Jagadish, hailing from Andhra Pradesh.

A major disaster was averted as the other 60 to 70 workers had gone out for lunch at the time of the explosion. However, the deceased were taking shelter from the scorching sun beside the hut.

Superintendent of Police Dr Chandragupta, the fire personnel and officials of the Mines and Geology Department visited the spot.  A case has been registered at the Kurugod police station.

There are a total of 11 stone crushing units around Kurugod. Of these, only two have been granted permission by the Mines and Geology Department to use explosives in the quarrying activities.

Special tahsildar Dasappa, who visited the spot, said that inspections would be carried out at the other stone - crushing units and they would be restricted from conducting blasts if they have not got the permission.