Karnataka: Sugar factory explosion kills at least six
What's the story
In a tragic incident, at least six people were killed and five critically injured after a boiler exploded at a sugar factory in the district of Bagalkot in Karnataka.
The boiler explosion was so powerful that it made the three-storey building collapse.
Currently, the fire department is using cranes and heavy lifters to excavate the debris, and the death toll could increase.
Here's more.
Details
The factory belonged to BJP minister's company
The blast took place at a sugar factory owned by BJP minister Murugesh Nirani's company, Nirani Group, located in Mudhol taluk's Kulali village.
20 workers were present at the factory floor when the blast ripped through the building leading to its collapse at around 12.30 in the afternoon.
The cause of the blast is not known yet.
Earlier
In September, another major factory blast took place in MP
In September, a similar massive explosion had rocked a petrochemical factory in Madhya Pradesh's Bijnor district, claiming the lives of six laborers.
Subsequently, an FIR had been registered against the factory's owner, Kuldeep Singh, and its manager under various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
Following the explosion, Singh had announced Rs. 12 lakh compensation for the kin of each deceased.
Poisoning
Just days back, Karnataka was rocked by another tragedy
Meanwhile, back in Karnataka, another tragedy rocked the state just days back.
On December 14, in a case of alleged mass poisoning, at least 13 people died and over 80 people had to be hospitalized after they consumed prasad at the Sulivadi village in Chamarajnagar district.
While a forensic report is still awaited, police have arrested two on suspicion of poisoning the prasad.