Andhra CM orders inquiryinto GAIL pipeline blast tragedy

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday ordered an inquiry to ascertain the reasons for the gas pipeline blast in the Nagaram region of the state's Guntur District, which claimed at least eight lives and left many others injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also extended his condolences to the bereaved families of the victims and to the families of the injured survivors. He is reported to have told the concerned GAIL authorities to ensure relief at the accident site.

The explosion reportedly took place at the site of the state-owned Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) at around 5.30 a.m.in Nagaram, around 560 kilometers from Hyderabad.

District Collector Neetu Kumari Prasad said the number of dead could rise.

The fire that broke as a result of the explosion in the pipeline has reportedly been brought under control and gas supply has been cut off.

GAIL Chairman B.C. Tripathi was quoted by media, as saying that the fire broke out in an 18-inch pipeline near a state-owned refinery complex.

He said the reason for the accident is still to be ascertained, and added that the focus is on rescue and relief operations.

Eight fire engines are at the spot and efforts are on to evacuate people from the area.

GAIL is the country's largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company.