At a railway rusher site in Shivamogga of Karnataka, a dynamite blast occurred that caused the death of approx. 8 people.
At least eight people were killed when a dynamite exploded at the Karnataka railway station in Hunasodu village in Shivamogga district on Friday, regional collector K KB Shivakumar told the media. A massive explosion occurred near a stone quarry at 10.30pm, sending shocks not only to Shivamogga, but also to the neighboring districts of Chikkamagaluru and Davangere, according to the news agency. An eyewitness said the explosion was so severe that the windows were shattered while many houses and even roads developed cracks.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of the victims of the blast. "It is sad to lose the lives of people in Shivamogga. Words of condolences to the bereaved families. We pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The State Government provides all assistance to those affected," his office tweeted.
The jolt was previously disturbed by earthquakes, followed by geologists, who forbade earthquakes to be recorded at any of their viewing locations. "There was no earthquake. But there was an explosion in Hunsur on the outskirts of Shivamogga under the boundaries of the rural police station," a police officer told the news agency.
One police officer said, "A truck carrying gelatine exploded. Six crew members were found dead. A vibration was heard in the area." He also said that the death toll could rise. The victims were reportedly delivering explosives that were intended to be mined during the explosion. The vehicle was badly damaged and the bodies of the deceased were mutilated.
Senior regional officials and police including the Shivamogga police chief rushed to the scene.
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