Hyderabad: A massive blast at an explosives manufacturing unit at Peddakandukur in Yadadri Bhongir district killed a 55-year-old worker and injured eight on Saturday morning.
Premier Explosives, where the blast occurred, manufactures solid propellant fuel for India’s missile programmes, including Akash, Astra, and LRSAM, and supplies materials to defence organisations like Defence Research and Development Organisation and Bharat Dynamics Limited. It also produces detonators and fuses for commercial use.
The deceased, Kanakaiah, was working in his 6am shift when the explosion ripped through the unit. Another worker, Prakash, sustained third-degree burns and was rushed to Hyderabad for treatment. Two other workers near the explosion site sustained minor injuries and were treated at a hospital in Bhongir. Some workers complained of severe ear pain caused by the loud explosion.
The workers had stepped out for a break and only four were present on the factory’s premises when the explosion ripped though the unit blowing away its roof.
Yadadri station house officer M Ramesh told TOI the blast occurred in a pyro device manufacturing unit around 9.30 am. “The roof of the unit blew away due to the pressure. Kanakaiah was filling magnesium into pellets when the explosion happened. May be, there was negligence in handling the hazardous material,” he said.
Police did not enter the building as the flammable materials were still hot. “When they cool off, we will examine the site. We’ll also have to verify the management’s version,” Ramesh added.
P Ramesh Kumar, ACP Yadadri, said, “We have cordoned off the area and are probing to determine the exact cause of the blast.”
The blast drew hundreds of villagers to the site, but police dispersed the crowd to facilitate the rescue operations.
Premier Explosives, where the blast occurred, manufactures solid propellant fuel for India’s missile programmes, including Akash, Astra, and LRSAM, and supplies materials to defence organisations like Defence Research and Development Organisation and Bharat Dynamics Limited. It also produces detonators and fuses for commercial use.
The deceased, Kanakaiah, was working in his 6am shift when the explosion ripped through the unit. Another worker, Prakash, sustained third-degree burns and was rushed to Hyderabad for treatment. Two other workers near the explosion site sustained minor injuries and were treated at a hospital in Bhongir. Some workers complained of severe ear pain caused by the loud explosion.
The workers had stepped out for a break and only four were present on the factory’s premises when the explosion ripped though the unit blowing away its roof.
Yadadri station house officer M Ramesh told TOI the blast occurred in a pyro device manufacturing unit around 9.30 am. “The roof of the unit blew away due to the pressure. Kanakaiah was filling magnesium into pellets when the explosion happened. May be, there was negligence in handling the hazardous material,” he said.
Police did not enter the building as the flammable materials were still hot. “When they cool off, we will examine the site. We’ll also have to verify the management’s version,” Ramesh added.
P Ramesh Kumar, ACP Yadadri, said, “We have cordoned off the area and are probing to determine the exact cause of the blast.”
The blast drew hundreds of villagers to the site, but police dispersed the crowd to facilitate the rescue operations.
