Mangalore blast: Cause not assertained

Mangalore blast: Cause not assertained

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 28: Numerous questions counter police investigating into the mysterious blast at the construction site of a strategic crude oil storage unit of Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves limited (ISPRL) at Chandrahas Nagar in Permude village, claiming three lives and injured four on Thursday.

 

 

 

 

The explosive used for excavation purposes, it transpires, was carried to the surface for a different purpose. Police said a packet of class II explosive (200 gm)was separately carried to the spot where it exploded. The police suspect that the team of labourers attempted to ignite the explosive which might have acted as a dud in the first attempt. A Korean national who was one among the victims was an expert in handling explosives.

Ballistic experts confirmed that only explosives used in quarry operations were found at the scene of the blast, police said. DCP (crime) Mutturaya said a detailed investigation will reveal the exact reason behind the incident.

 

Other site workers engaged under a sub contract agency, Nig and Rich, said during each blasting operation all labourers were asked to vacate the site. Officials of the ISPRL had asked the contractors to stop work untill further notice.

ISPRL CEO Rajiv Pillai visited the site and held discussions with assistant commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, who is also the CEO of district disaster management plan. Kavalikatti said that a report on the blast incident had been sent to the government.

The deceased will receive compensations as per the norms, he added.

Bajpe police have registered a criminal case against chief manager of ISPRL Mangalore site, Vijayanand, based on a complaint by Lawrence Pereira.

The third victim of the incident was identified as Sushram Chauhan, 38, of Uttar Pradesh. The other two South Koren KEC of Korean national Sang, 37, and Sirajuddin, 26, a resident of Krishnapura, who was safety supervisor. Their postmortem was performed on Friday at Wenlock Hospital.

The New Indian Express