Explosion kills man

Salem: A 50-year-old farmer died and three of his relatives were injured after a device he found on his farmland at Thumbalpatty near Mallur exploded on Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as K Mani. “He had spotted the device on his farmland on Wednesday evening. He thought it was an FM radio and took it home. But it exploded when he tried to switch it on,” superintendent of police Deepa S Ganigar said.
Mani’s granddaughter V Sowmiya, 11, his nephew Vasantha Kumar, 36, and his relative M Natesan, 65, sustained injuries. They were admitted to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital (SGMKMCH).
Mani’s wife Amsaveni, 42, who was in the kitchen, had a narrow escape. “I heard a loud sound after which the house was filled with smoke,” she said.
Mani’s left arm was found 10ft away from the house.
Rural DSP Uma Shankar, who inspected the spot, said the device exploded when Mani connected it to a wall socket.
‘Q’ branch police officers also inspected the place. The Mallur police have registered a case.