Accidental blast kills five during road-expansion work in Andhra Pradesh

On Saturday morning, a blasting operation intended to clear rocks for a road-widening project in Pinakota village, Anantagiri mandal, Alluri Sitharama Raju district, went wrong when a device using gelatin sticks misfired. The explosion ripped through the site, demolishing two vehicles and killing five individuals: the driver, three construction workers and a teacher who was heading the other way. Police officers reported the incident and described the equipment failure.

Local revenue officials and police teams rushed to the scene to conduct rescue and recovery efforts. The names and further details of those killed have not yet been released, and authorities are awaiting additional information.