Controller of Explosives coming to probe blast

By P.V.V. Murthi

VELLORE, AUG. 16. The Controller of Explosives from Nagpur is rushing here to investigate the cause of the explosion at the Tamil Nadu Explosives Ltd. factory at Christianpet near Katpadi, 18 km from Vellore.

According to the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories, Vellore, Mr. Oomaithurai, the exact cause of the explosion could be ascertained only after an investigation by the Controller.

He said the crimping process, during which the explosion occurred, was done by machines. Only the fuse wire was manually inserted into the detonator shell. The accident might have taken place following the dropping of the box containing detonator shells.

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Explosives Ltd. chairman and managing director, Mr. L.K. Tripathi, and the Minister for Rural Industries, Mr. K. Pandurangan, rushed to the explosion site. Mr.Tripathi said ``crimping'' was a safe process and the cause of the accident had to be investigated.

Live detonators were still present in the debris and the Fire services were undertaking the ``rescue operations'' with great care to prevent further death of persons who could still be alive under the debris.

Earlier, press photographers were not allowed to enter the premises on grounds that further explosion might occur at the flash of cameras. Later, they were allowed to take pictures of the debris without use of flash.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, expressed her deep shock and grief over the explosion. In a statement in Chennai, she said the Tamil Nadu Explosives Ltd. had been asked to take all precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of the explosion.

The Governor, Dr. C. Rangarajan, conveying his condolences to the families of the deceased, said the tragedy underscored the need for arrangements to prevent such accidents.

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Section  : National
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