Berhampur/Ganjam: The death toll of Odia labourers in the stone quarry blast in Andhra Pradesh went up to four as another labourer succumbed to his injuries at Kurnool Government Hospital Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Rajendra Nahak, a native of Diandein village under Rambha police limits. This was stated by members of a fact finding team visiting the area to probe the blast. The incident occurred after detonators went off at a private stone quarry at Hatibelgam in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh Friday.
Notably, Rajendra had migrated to Andhra Pradesh for a better living and was engaged in the stone quarry under a contractor. He, however, sustained 75 per cent burn injuries in the blast, wherein three other Odia labourers were killed, and was undergoing treatment in the Kurnool Government Hospital. The district administration had requested their Kurnool counterpart to send the body to his native village. Accordingly, the body is likely to reach his village in the evening.
Three other Odia labourers, Duryodhan Nahak, Manoranjan Nahak of Bitinuagaon village and Bhimasen Nahak of Jharedi rasagobindpur village under Rambha police station, had succumbed to their burn injuries in the blast. Their bodies were cremated by their family members after they arrived in their respective villages late Monday night.
Meanwhile, the district Collector Bijay Amrut Kulange directed the BDO and tehsildar to provide all assistance to the bereaved family and warned to take action against the contractor if he is found guilty.
PNN
