Two persons are injured in Nanakramguda lorry blast

A powerful explosion ripped apart a DCM lorry that was carrying gelatin sticks and left two persons injured, one of them critically, at a construction site of Phoenix Spaces Private Limited in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of Puppalaguda around 7.30 pm on Friday.The injured, P. Ramesh (25) and Naresh Pasupula (27), were shifted for treatment at the Continental Hospital in Gachibowli.

According to the police, the lorry was carrying gelatin sticks to be used for rock blasting at the site that was covered with blue metal sheets. The blast, which could be heard in some parts of Jubilee Hills as well, left only mangled parts of the vehicle at the site. The massive sound triggered panic among residents in the vicinity with metal pieces of the lorry falling on their residences. The panic-struck residents ran out of their houses hearing the explosion.

News scrolls by vernacular news channels claiming that four persons were killed in the incident led to more panic. However, with police officials, who have cordoned off the blast site, confirming that the blast was not a terror act, the public heaved a sigh of relief.Officials at Continental Hospital said the injured suffered varying degree of injuries. Ramesh had a pelvic bone fracture while the right leg of Naresh was totally crushed. The surgeons said that the leg would have to be amputated. Both were however stated to be out of danger.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Madhapur) A. Venkateswara Rao said the blast occurred due to mishandling of the gelatin sticks while carrying them in the vehicle along with boulders.“We are verifying whether the contractors secured prior permission from officials concerned for taking up rock blasting works,” he said.

Naresh, a resident of Rajeevnagar Colony in Gachibowli was working as a driver while Ramesh, a resident of Shankarpally village, was a supervisor. “We will collect more information from the injured to know the circumstances that led to the blast,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police N. Shyam Prasada Rao.If necessary, the assistance of Controller of Explosives would be consulted to ascertain the quantity of explosives carried in the vehicle, another official said.