BLAST AT GAIL SITE IN ANDHRA PRADESH ,15 PEOPLE KILLED AND SEVERAL INJURED

New Delhi: At least 15 persons were killed and several injured after the trunk pipeline of Gas Authority of India Ltd (Gail) exploded following a gas leak early on Friday morning near Nagaram in East Godavari district, about 600 km from Hyderabad.

The incident occurred at 6 am and the injured have been evacuated to hospitals in Kakinada, Amalapuram and Razole. 

An AP Government release said the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has ordered an inquiry. Deputy Chief Minister N Chinna Rajappa reached the spot to oversee relief and help for the victims’ families and those injured.

GAIL chairman B C Tripathi said the fire occurred in an 18-inch pipeline of the company near to the ONGC refinery complex.

“The reasons for the accident are not known yet. We are currently focused on rescue and relief operations,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the accident.

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