15 killed in GAIL pipeline blast in EG dist
KAKINADA: At least 15 persons were burnt alive and 16 others sustained critical burn injuries in a major gas pipeline explosion at Nagaram village of Mamidikuduru mandal in East Godvari district Friday morning.
The injured are undergoing treatment at the hospitals at Amalapuram and Kakinada towns. Deputy chief minister Chinarajappa and District Collector Neetu Prasad have rushed to the spot and are overseeing the rescue and relief operations.
According to the sources, the leakage in the gas pipeline of the Gas Authority of India (GAIL) has reportedly begun around 4.30 am and the blast took place around 5.40 a.m killing several people on the spot. Several bodies were burnt beyond the recognition due to the huge impact of the fire and children and women also include the deceased.
Anand, an eyewitnesses, said that people caught in the blaze were incinerated. Huge flames sent panic among people in the area. Several houses were gutted and razed to the ground and coconut plantation in about 10 acres were also gutted in the mishap.
Police officials say that five fire tenders had been pressed into service and the flames were brought under control around 10.30 am. Amalapuram DSP Veera Reddy and his team have reportedly rescued about 10 victims.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is in Delhi, cancelled his scheduled programme along with Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan is going to arrive here in the afternoon.
Meanwhile Dy CM N Chinarajappa has blamed the GAIL and ONGC for this mishap. "We have been urging the GAIL and ONGC authorities for a long to replace the old and damaged pipe line. But they have not responded so far," he said.
The officials fear that the death toll may increase. Amalapuram former MP Harsha Kumar, who visited the spot, also blamed the GAIL and ONGC for this mishap.
News Posted: 27 June, 2014
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