Massive explosion took place near a gravel and boulder crushing facility around 10.30 pm on Thursday, sending shockwaves not only in Shivamogga district , but also in neighbouring Chikkamagaluru and Davangere districts. A truckload of explosives, suspected to be meant for mining, killed at least six people in Karnataka’s Shivamogga district and sent shockwaves in neighbouring areas.
Eye witnesses said, window panes shattered while many houses and even roads developed cracks. The jolt was mistaken to have been caused by an earthquake and geologists were contacted, who ruled out recording tremors in any of their observatories.
A police officer said, “There has been a blast in a truck carrying gelatin. Six labourers in the truck were found dead and the death toll might increase”.
The victims were reportedly transporting the explosives meant for mining when the explosion occurred.