The death toll in the explosion at the firecracker unit at Vakatippa village of Uppada Kothapalli mandal went up to 18 on Tuesday. While 11 people were killed on the spot, seven people succumbed to burns while undergoing treatment.
Of the 18 victims, 15 were women including a minor girl and three men. The condition of three persons undergoing treatment in a private hospital here is said to be stable.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu interacted with the kin of the deceased and injured. He announced an ex gratia of Rs. 3 lakh to the kin of the deceased. In addition, half-an-acre agriculture land each would be distributed to the families of the deceased and free education in corporate institutions would be provided to their wards. Charging Uppada Kothapalli tehsildar Satyanarayana with negligence in discharging his duties, Mr. Naidu said he would be placed under suspension and a magisterial inquiry would be conducted into the incident.
ADVERTISEMENT