Shivamogga Blast: At Least 8 Dead As Truck Carrying Dynamite Explodes, Causes Tremors In Karnataka, Area Sealed Off

Eight people were killed in an explosion at a stone mining quarry in Karnataka's Shivamogga district, news agency ANI reported. The possibility of subsequent explosions at the quarry at Hunasondi near village Abbalagere has not been ruled out by the police since some dynamite sticks are still live, the police said. Bomb disposal squads have been called in and the entire area has been sealed off. People who died in the explosion were reportedly transporting the explosives meant for mining in a truck when the incident happened. The truck was destroyed, the police said. The blast occurred around 10:20 pm, resulting in a loud sound and tremors that could be felt in nearby Chikkamagaluru district as well. Many took the mysterious loud sound, which shattered window panes, to be an earthquake and ran out to the streets. Shivamogga is Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa's home district. Yediyurappa has ordered a probe into the explosion. PM Narendra Modi offered his condolences.