At least 15 people were roasted alive and 14 others, including four children, suffered critical burns in a towering inferno caused by gas pipeline blast near Tatipaka GAIL terminal at Nagaram under Mamidikuduru mandal in East Godavari district on Friday morning.
The injured persons were rushed to Amalapuram and Kakinada general hospitals. The bodies were charred beyond recognition making identification of the deceased difficult and time-consuming. The toll in the towering inferno might rise further. Some 10 Fire Service tenders rushed to the spot and were trying to put out the fire. So far, 14 bodies were recovered from the accident site.
According to reports, the flames were rising up to 350 meters. Virtually the Nagaram village was in flames when the blast occurred with deafening sounds like a blow-out. The panic stricken villagers ran helter skelter for saving their lives. Some 50 houses and shops were reduced to ashes. Besides, hundreds of coconut trees were also reduced to ashes. The villagers are blaming the GAIL officials’ criminal negligence for the blow-out like inferno. They said explosions were occurring frequently due to the rusted gas pipeline.
GAIL chairman B.C. Tripathi said the explosion had occurred at an 18 inch pipeline and the reasons for the explosion was not known. Relief and rehabilitation measures have been taken up in the affected village, he added. “The exact cause of the blast was not immediately known. After an inquiry only we will get the details and cause of the blast,” Tripathi said.
CHANDRABABU RUSHES BACK HOME
New Delhi: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is in Delhi, cut short his trip and rushing to East Godavari district to reach the accident spot this afternoon. The Andhra Pradesh government has also ordered an inquiry into the GAIL gas pipeline blast. Naidu said an action plan would be evolved to avoid this kind of incidents in future. He expressed shock and grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
Meanwhile, AP Deputy Chief Minister Nimmakayala Chinarajappa, who visited the accident site, said the government would conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the GAIL gas pipeline blast in the district. All help will be provided to the blast-affected persons,” Chinarajappa said. He directed the hospitals where the injured were admitted to provide better medical facilities for their speedy recovery. (NSS)
