Berhampur: The death toll of Odia labourers in the stone quarry blast at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh went up to five as another labourer succumbed to his injuries Friday.
Pandav Lenka (40), a native of Brahmagiri in Puri district, was under treatment at a government hospital in Vishakhapatnam. He was residing in Biti Nuagaon under Jharedi Radhagobindpur panchayat of Rambha police limits in Ganjam district with his family for the past several years.
Meanwhile, the condition of another labourer, Ramchandra Nahak, of the same village is stated to be critical. He is under treatment at a Vishakhapatnam hospital, said members of a fact finding team visiting the area to probe the incident.
Two days back, a worker Rajendra Nahak of Diandein village under Rambha police limits had died while undergoing treatment.
A major fire broke out after detonators went off August 3 night while the labourers were working at the quarry at Hatibelgam in Kurnool district. More than 15 workers have died in the incident till now.
District authorities have requested the Kurnool administration to send Lenka’s body to his native village.
Three other Odia labourers – Duryodhan Nahak, Manoranjan Nahak and Bhimasen Nahak – had succumbed to burn injuries caused during the blast.
Meanwhile, Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange directed the BDO and the tehsildar to provide all assistance to the bereaved families.
PNN