Massive explosion in Vijayawada, 3 dead, 7 injured

In a massive explosion on Tuesday in the Ambedkar Wada of Rajiv Sharma Colony in Vijayawada, three persons died on the spot and seven more were critically injured.

The condition of two of the injured persons is stated to be extremely critical. The building where the explosion occcurred was compeltely destroyed, while three nearby buildings were partially damaged. The building belonged to petty trader M Balaraju. Four families reside on the ground floor. The explosion occured in the house of one Kothapalli Lokeshwar. She, her daughter Keerthi (10), Nikhil (8) and Kondeti Shankar were injured. While Korada Rambabu (45), his wife Nirmala (35) and Ramanamma (60) died on the spot. Three more persons - Kartik (14), Swaroop (13) and Sheikh Baji (55) also suffered critical injuries. The condition of Lokeshwari and Baji is stated to be extremely critical.
The police have prima facie said that the mishap was due to an LPG cylinder blast. Senior police officials, Clues Team, bomb experts and fire fighters rushed to the spot to take up rescue measures and to launch investigations.
Minister Narayana, MLAs Jaleel Khan, Bonda Uma, Vallabhaneni Vamshi and Mayor Koneru Sridhar visited the spot to take stock of the situation. The government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of those who died.