Karnataka's Shimoga Blast LIVE Updates: 5 Quarry Workers Charred to Death, Confirms Yediyurappa, Announces Ex-gratia of Rs 5L for Kin

BSY Announces Rs 5 Lakh Compensation | Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each of the victims who lost their lives in the explosion at a quarry in Shivamogga.

The explosion took place in Abbalagere village located along the Shivamogga-Hanagal state highway, which passes through Savalunga and Shikaripura. Shikaripura, 290 km from Bengaluru, is the home constituency of Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa. According to the police, no one was able to reach the site of explosion.

5 More Bodies Recovered from Shimoga Blast Site | The police have recovered five more bodies from the site of explosion in Shivamogga, Karnataka, taking the death toll to 11.

Shivamogga Explosion | Two people have been detained and a high-level investigation ordered into the explosion in Shivamogga district which left at least six dead, police said today. The detained included a contractor of a stone crushing facility where the blast occured when a truckload of gelatin sticks went off, police added.

The sound of the blast, which was initially thought to be an earthquake, was heard in neighbouring Davangere, Chikkamagaluru and Uttara Kannada districts. In Shivamogga, the effect was severe as some houses developed cracks, roof tiles and window panes shattered into pieces. The vehicle was badly mangled and the bodies of the victims were dismembered beyond recognition.

Death Toll Likely to Increase | The authorities have not ruled out the possibility of the death toll increasing. "There are rumours that at least 10 to 15 people have died. Let the police complete their investigation," Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner K B Shivakumar said this morning.

Quarry Owner, Dynamite Supplier Arrested over Shivamogga Blast, Says Karnataka Home Minister | Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that prima facie it seems a lot of dynamite exploded at the spot of the accident. "There's been some negligence by the quarry owner and the operators. Police have already arrested the quarry owner and the dynamite supplier. Probe is on," he said.

RECAP | At least six people were killed after a truckload of explosives, suspected to be meant for mining, exploded in Karnataka's Shivamogga district last night, police said.

Police personnel at the site of the dynamite blast in Shivamogga, Karnataka during investigation:

Rahul Gandhi Calls for 'In-depth' Probe into Shivamogga Blast | Calling for an "in-depth investigation" into the tragic accident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the news of the blast at a stone mining quarry in Karnataka is "tragic". Condolences to the families of the victims," Gandhi tweeted. "Such incidents call for in-depth investigation so that similar tragedies can be avoided in the future," the former Congress chief said.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Congress stalwart Siddaramaiah conveyed his condolences to the family members of the deceased:

Very pained to know about the death of labourers in Shivamogga, due to explosion of truck carrying gelatin.

I urge @CMofKarnataka to initiate an impartial & strict enquiry about the incident, & punish the guilty.

My deepest condolences to the family members of the victims.

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) January 22, 2021

In a series of tweets, Karnataka Minister for Mines and Geology Murugesh Rudrappa Nirani, revealed that among the 15 killed in the blast were labourers from Bihar. "It is suspected that gelatin sticks in a truck near the stone quarry exploded, killing the labourers from Bihar. I am saddened by the tragic incident at a stone quarry near Abbalagere in Shivamogga. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims and pray for speedy recovery of the injured. The government will take strict action against illegal stone quarrying," he said in his tweet.

The government has ordered a high-level probe into the tragic incident in Hunasodu village of Shivamogga. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits responsible for the explosion. 4/4

— Murugesh Rudrappa Nirani (@NiraniMurugesh) January 22, 2021

Quarry Details | Based on reports, the quarry unit is found to be 'SS Stone Crusher', which spans over 21 acres and is owned by ST Kulkarni. Stone crushing was reportedly being carried out in five acres of this plot, for which licence was taken in April 2019 and is valid till 2024. The crushing unit was licensed under Sudhakar's name. Meanwhile, the police have taken into custody two people -- Sudhakar and Avinash Kulkarni, the son of ST Kulkarni -- for questioning.

Meanwhile, BY Raghavendra, the Shimoga MP and the son of Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, visits the site of the dynamite blast that has left 15 dead.

Kumaraswamy Demands Strict Action against Culprits | Former Chief Minister of Karnataka and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, too, urged the government for inquiry and demanded strict action against those involved in the incident. "The tragic death of many workers in the Kalukwari village of Abbasagere in Shimoga has killed many workers. May the soul of the dead find peace. The state government should investigate the blast at the quarry quarry. Strict action must be taken on the lives of poor workers and those responsible for this disaster. Care should be taken not to recur during such days."

Karnataka CM BSY Orders High-level Probe into Shimoga Blast | Shocked over the reports of the massive dynamite blast in Shimoga, the hometown of the Karnataka Chief Minister, B S Yediyurappa, in a tweet in Kannada, says that he is in touch with senior officials since late night and teams have already been dispatched to the required rescue operation. "I wish to express my deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. The wounded are being treated and I wish them all a speedy recovery. A high-level investigation into the misdemeanor has been ordered and strict action against the guilty is certain," he said.

ಶಿವಮೊಗ್ಗದ ಹುಣಸೋಡು ಬಳಿ ನಿನ್ನೆ ರಾತ್ರಿ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿದ ಭಾರೀ ಅನಾಹುತದಲ್ಲಿ ಅನೇಕ ಮಂದಿ ಸಾವನ್ನಪ್ಪಿದ್ದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ತೀವ್ರ ಆಘಾತಕಾರಿ ಹಾಗೂ ದುರದೃಷ್ಟಕರ. ಹಿರಿಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳೊಂದಿಗೆ ನಿನ್ನೆ ತಡರಾತ್ರಿಯಿಂದಲೇ ಸಂಪರ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದು, ಅಗತ್ಯ ರಕ್ಷಣಾ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಚರಣೆಗೆ ತಂಡಗಳನ್ನು ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ರವಾನಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. (1/2)

— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) January 22, 2021

Initially the people, who were about to go to bed, thought that it was an earthquake and started rushing out of their homes. The 11 pm data from the local seismological observatories around the area, however, did not record any seismic activity or tremors (these are usually recorded at a depth of 15 to 20 kms below the earth's surface).

Shimoga happens to be the home town of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and he has been informed about the tragedy. Illegal quarrying is common in this region. Condoling the deaths, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the state government is providing assistance to the affected. "Pained by the loss of lives in Shivamogga. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover soon. The State Government is providing all possible assistance to the affected." he tweeted.

Lorry Carrying Dynamites Destroyed | Some claim that about 50 dynamites exploded one after the another, killing at least 15 people on the spot. The lorry that was carrying was destroyed completely. Ashok Naik, Shimoga Rural MLA, told mediapersons that he too had heard the sound and the tragic incident had taken place in his constituency. "There is a thick smoke everywhere. Can't see anything. At least 15 people have died. It could be more. I can't confirm anything right now," he said.

15 Killed in Shimoga Dynamite Blast, Triggers Panic | In a tragic incident, at least 15 people were killed in a major dynamite blast near Shimoga city in central Karnataka late on Thursday. According to reports, a lorry carrying gelatines and a huge quantity of dynamites exploded near a stone quarry around 10:30 pm. Tremors were felt and a loud sound was heard across the hilly Shimoga, parts of Chikmagalur and Uttara Kannada districts, triggering panic. Officials at the local Natural Disasters Monitoring Centre said the impact of the blast may have led to tremors as it happened at a shallow depth.