Explosion near stone crushing unit in Siddipet kills 1; probe underway

A labourer died following an explosion near a stone crushing unit in Siddipet district Wednesday, police said. The incident occurred at around 8.30 am, a senior police official said. The official said the deceased, who was identified as Rajaiah, was alone when the blast took place. The exact cause of the explosion which occurred in a room near the unit in Chinnakodur mandal was immediately not known.

"It is still not clear whether the explosion occurred due to gelatine sticks and detonators stored near the stone crushing unit or it was due to a cell phone handset explosion apparently due to short-circuit. The matter is under investigation," the official said. The deceased was working as a labourer at the unit for over 10 years. The unit had a valid license for storing gelatine sticks and detonators, police added.

(With inputs from agencies.)