Four people blown to pieces in farmhouse blast

Bangalore, Aug 31 (UNI) Four people from Tamil Nadu were killed when gelatin sticks and other explosive materials, stored illegally in a farmhouse near Neraganahalli in Devanahalli taluk, about 45 km from here, exploded last night.

Police suspect that the foursome were in the process of making explosives, used in illegal quarrying in Bangalore Rural district when the mishap occurred. Police have seized 100 gelatin sticks, urea, sulphur and gun powder from the spot.

Additional Director General of Police Shankar Bidari told UNI that the explosives were stored illegally in the farmhouse.

Under the impact of the blast, the bodies of the four people, all quarry workers, were blown to pieces. Parts of bodies were seen strewn around and the farmhouse was razed to the ground. One of the dead was identified as Kubendran, hailing from Gudiyattam in Tamil Nadu.

The farmhouse belonged to one Venkataramanappa, a quarry contractor, who was at large.

Incidentally, the village is situated 15 km from the Bangalore International airport, coming up in Devanahalli.

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