Telangana: 12 killed in cracker unit blast in Warangal

WARANGAL: Twelve workers were killed and several others injured in a major blast at a cracker unit at Kotilingala Devasthanam in Kashibugga area of Warangal town on Wednesday. Many people living in the area and customers were injured in the fire caused by the blast. The injured have been shifted to MGM Hospital in Warangal. The bodies were also kept at MGM Hospital for post mortem examination. Revenue, fire and police officials rushed to the spot and took up relief and rescue operations. The bodies were charred, some of them beyond recognition. The blast in the factory, located in a residential area, took place at about 11.40am. Panic gripped the area, with with residents leaving their homes in a hurry to move to safety. Cracks developed in buildings as far away as 300 metres from the blast site. Warangal rural district collector M Haritha, and Parakala MLA Challa Dharma Reddy rushed to the accident site. Sources said 17 workers entered the factory about 11.00 am and soon there was a blast with a deafening sound. This being the wedding season, there was quite a crowd of customers at the factory when the blast occurred. Haritha said the district administration is verifying if the factory was operating with a valid license. Source: Times of India