Gunpowder-filled iron pipes explode in Rajahmundry; two hurt

The incident occurred at around 9 pm when one Manipudi Krishna (40), carrying half a dozen iron pipes filled with gunpowder on his shoulders, was entering the station from the main gate, they said.

The pipes accidentally fell on the ground resulting in a minor fire and an explosion-like sound, they said, adding, only two pipes exploded and the others were intact.

"Reports of blast are false. Two persons suffered slight burns in the minor fire incident," a senior police officer told PTI.

Krishna and a retired Railway employee sitting near the parking lot of the station received minor injuries. While Krishna was admitted to the General Hospital, the other man was shifted to Railway Hospital for treatment, police said.

According to the police, during questioning at the hospital, Krishna told them that an unidentified person gave him the pipes and he did not know they contained explosives.

Such pipes are used for breaking big stones in quarries, they said.

The bomb disposal squad rushed to the spot and inspected the site. Officials from district administration, Revenue department and police also visited the spot.

The squad also carried out a search inside the railway station as a precautionary measure, but nothing suspicious was found, they said.

Krishna's questioning will continue tomorrow for further details, police said.