Five Killed in Accidental Blast During Road Construction Work in Andhra Pradesh

Five people were killed in an accidental explosion during road-widening work in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Saturday morning, police said.

The incident occurred at Pinakota village in Anantagiri mandal while workers were carrying out rock blasting for road expansion along a ghat road.

According to police, a special device fitted with gelatin sticks was being used to blast rocks. However, the equipment reportedly malfunctioned during the operation, triggering a powerful explosion.

The blast destroyed two vehicles and claimed five lives. The deceased include the driver, three workers and a teacher who was travelling in the opposite direction at the time of the incident, a police officer said.

Following the explosion, local revenue officials and police personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be established. Further details regarding the circumstances leading to the explosion are awaited.