Chikkaballapur quarry blast occurred during rush to hide explosives fearing raid

(Warning: Story contains some graphic details, reader discretion advised)

Six labourers lost their lives at a quarry site here in Hirenagaveli, in Karnataka's Chikkaballapur, while attempting to hide explosives from being found during a raid by authorities late on Monday evening.

According to a police communiqué accessed by DH, the owner of the quarry was tipped-off about the raid, after which he asked his employees to hide the explosives.

Also read — Basavaraj Bommai orders CID probe into Chikkaballapur quarry blast

The explosion occurred when the workers were unloading gelatin sticks and detonators, killing six people, including one Nepali citizen, on the spot.

The deceased are identified as Gangadhar Babu, Abhilash Nayak, Muralikrishna, Mahesh Singh Bora (Nepali citizen), manager of the quarry Umakanth and quarry supervisor Ramu.

Mohammed Riyaz Ansari, the driver of the Tata Ace vehicle, which was used to transport explosives, suffered grievous injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

Also read — Karnataka CM B S Yediyurappa orders probe into Chikkaballapur quarry blast

The quarry site, where the explosion occurred at around midnight, was witness to gruesome scenes. Body parts of the victims were strewn across the site, with authorities finding it difficult to identify the mutilated bodies. The explosion was so intense that body parts were found at a distance of 20 metres from the quarry.

Documents show that the quarry site was sealed by the authorities on February 7 after registering a suo moto complaint against quarry owners. While registering the case on alleged illegal detonation at the site, 14 gelatin tubes and 17 electric detonators were seized.

On February 22, the quarry was raided again and a compressor tractor used for drilling holes at the quarry was seized.

Since no explosives were seized, the quarry owners were let off with a warning, sources told DH.