Chikkaballapur: District In-charge Minister Dr K Sudhakar has said that two people were arrested in relation to the explosion of gelatin sticks that killed six workers of a quarry near Hirenagavalli of Gudibande taluk early Tuesday morning.
The incident took place at Bhramaravasini crushing site. Ramu, Mahesh, Murali, Gangadhar, Umakanth and Abhi – three of them from Andhra Pradesh, one from Nepal and one more from Bagepalli taluk of the district – were killed. Six other workers were seriously injured and admitted to the district hospital, said the police.
The minister visited the blast site with Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who said that the matter was handed over to CID.
Dr Sudhakar later tweeted that the police have arrested two people in the case.
Earlier, Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani tweeted that the government is taking strict measures against illegal mining, transport and storage of explosives for mining. The relatives of the victims and the injured will be recompensed and provided help by the government, he assured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims. Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has said that he has ordered a high-level investigation into the explosion and strict action will be taken against the guilty.
The blast follows a similar incident in Shivamogga on January 22, when six people died.
