At least four people died, and 18 others were injured in a powerful explosion in the Sri Sathyasai district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, a police official said. The explosion demolished at least two houses.
Earlier, Sri Sathyasai district superintendent of police S Satish said the explosion occurred around 12.30 pm.
"Until now, four people died, and 18 others were injured, including one in a serious condition," the official told PTI.
He said workers from Telangana were living in that house where the explosion occurred.
Though the explosion was being attributed to a gas cylinder blast, it may not be limited to a gas cylinder, given the intensity of the blast, the official swas quoted by PTI as saying.
More details are awaited.
Chhattisgarh Vedanta power plant blast
The explosion in Andhra Pradesh was reported a day after more than 10 people were killed in a blast at the Vedanta power plant in Chhattisgarh's Sakti district.
News agency PTI reported that the death toll in a blast at the Vedanta power plant went up to 14, with one more worker succumbing to injuries, police said on Wednesday.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday afternoon in a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the Vedanta Ltd power plant located in Singhitarai village.
The powerful blast left several workers with severe burn injuries.
Officials said that four workers died on the spot, while 10 others succumbed to injuries later. One more worker died on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, taking the toll to 14, Sakti Superintendent of Police (SP) Prafull Thakur told PTI.
Of the 20 other workers injured in the incident, five were shifted to Raipur for advanced treatment, while 15 were undergoing treatment at various hospitals in Raigarh district, he was quoted as saying.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh to the families of each deceased worker and ₹50,000 for those injured. He has also ordered an inquiry into the incident by the Commissioner of the Bilaspur division, assuring strict action against those found responsible.
(With inputs from agencies)
