New Delhi: The death toll in a massive explosion that took place at a gas pipeline belonging to GAIL in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district has risen to 15 while the condition of a dozen people seriously injured in the incident is stated to be critical.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is in Delhi since Thursday, has left for the spot along with Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives, Naidu earlier in the day ordered an enquiry into the untoward incident.
“My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in East Godavari blast. Ordered an enquiry & action plan to avoid these in future,” Naidu said on micro-blogging site Twitter.
“Asked Dy CM Chinarajappa to go to the ONGC pipeline blast site and provide required support. We need a preventive plan to ensure safety,” he added.
Oil Minister Pradhan has constituted a high-level committee to probe the blast.
President Pranab Mukherjee has offered condolences to the families of the deceased.
In his message to Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, President Mukherjee said that he is extremely saddened to learn about the explosion of the GAIL gas pipeline in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in which some persons have lost their lives and many others are injured.
“I am sure that the State Government and other agencies are taking necessary steps to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured and all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones,” he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also condoled the loss of lives and asked Petroleum Minister, Cabinet Secretary and GAIL chairman to ensure immediate relief at the accident site.
Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs two lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in GAIL pipeline fire.
“My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL Pipeline fire in AP. Prayers with the injured,” Modi said on micro-blogging site Twitter.
