14 killed in blast at GAIL pipeline in Andhra Pradesh

Hindustan Times Prasad Nichenametla, June 27, 2014

First Published: 08:06 IST(27/6/2014) | Last Updated: 10:38 IST(27/6/2014)

A gas leakage and blast in the GAIL pipeline in East Godavari district’s Nagaram village killed 14 people and injured several others on Friday morning.

TV grab of fire following an explosion at GAIL pipeline near ONGC site in Andhra Pradesh.

The incident occurred around 6 am when many of the villagers were still sleeping. The dead were mostly people living in the huts in the coconut groves through which the gas pipeline passes. The bodies are charred beyond recognition.
The impact of the blast could be seen in the flames that leapt over 200 metres in the air. Most of the village took the impact and people ran to safety in horror. Half a dozen fire engines were rushed to the spot to control the fire.

GAIL explosion in AP, 15 feared dead

15 persons were feared dead and 32 others injured after an exposion in a gas pipeline belonging to GAIL in East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. The death toll is likely to increase.

The injured have been moved to the local hospitals in Razole, Amalapuram and Kakinada for medical support. The incident took place around 6 AM today at Nagaram Village in Amalapuram mandal.

Speaking on the incident, GAIL Chairman BC Tripathi said that a fire broke our in 18-inch pipeline at a refinery complex. He added that exact reasons for the incident are not known yet. More efforts are going on to rescue the people from the arena.

"My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL Pipeline fire in AP. Prayers with the injured.", Prime Minster Narendra Modi Tweeted.

AP CM Chandrababu Naidu tweeted,"Asked Dy CM Chinarajappa to go to the ONGC pipeline blast site and provide required support. We need a preventive"

The injured were rushed to the hospitals in Kakinada, the district headquarters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the incident.
"My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL Pipeline fire in AP. Prayers with the injured," he tweeted.
Narendra Modi ✔ @narendramodi Follow

I have spoken to the Petroleum Minister, Cabinet Secretary & GAIL Chairman and asked them to ensure immediate relief at the accident site.
Andhra Pradesh home minister N Chinarajappa rushed to the spot. Naidu who is in Delhi expressed shock over the incident. Naidu along with the union petroleum minister are leaving from Delhi to visit the site.
The incident lead to angry reactions from the villagers, who blamed the GAIL authorities as not taking enough precautions to avoid such incidents.

The cause of gas leakage from the pipe are not known yet.

GAIL pipeline blast: 14 killed; Petroleum Minister constitutes committee to probe

Zee News

· 9 mins ago

Summary Hyderabad: At least 14 people were burnt to death and about 30 others injured in a huge blast and fire that took place at a gas pipeline belonging to Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, on Friday morning. It was not immediately clear how much production was affected. The huge flames leaping out of the pipeline damaged houses and shops near the blast site.