Two Dead, Four Injured as Chemical Tank Explodes in Karnataka
Two Dead, Four Injured as Chemical Tank Explodes in Karnataka
A chemical storage tank exploded at a factory in Basaralu, Mandya district, Karnataka during dismantling for relocation, killing two migrant workers and injuring four.
Two migrant workers were killed and four others were injured on Sunday after a chemical storage tank exploded at the Keerthi Chemical factory near Karekatte in Basaralu, while dismantling work was underway as part of relocating the unit. The blast occurred around 9.40 am, police said, killing Kalu Khan, 27, and Ashok, 26, at the scene. The four injured workers — Khasim, Ravi, Mahantesh and Rajeev Kumar, aged between 24 and 32 — were admitted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences for treatment, with serious injuries reported.
Police have registered a case against the factory management under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for negligent act causing death and have begun an investigation into whether proper safety protocols were followed during the dismantling process. The factory had not operated for the past four years and was in the process of relocation when the incident occurred, officials said.
Residents in the area had previously objected to the plant after a chemical leak damaged crops across hundreds of acres and led to the death of two dogs. The district administration had compensated affected farmers in that episode. Officials from the Labour Department and the Pollution Control Board have begun inquiries to determine safety lapses and next steps to prevent a recurrence.
