Rajahmundry (Andhra): Two women workers were killed and five others injured when lightning struck a firecracker making unit in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday.
Police said lightning struck a coconut tree located on the premises of the unit on the outskirts of Surya Rao Palem village in Undrajavaram Mandal, resulting in the firecrackers exploding, killing two women on the spot. Five women were injured in the incident and they were admitted to the GGH at Nidadavole.
Sources said the incident took place when over 15 workers were making firecrackers. Two women workers killed instantaneously, five women workers critically injured and five workers escaped with minor injuries. The identity of the deceased was being established, the police said.
An eye-witness told the media that heavy rain accompanied by thunder occurred in the evening.
Lightning struck on a coconut tree located on the premises of the firecrackers making unit and an explosion took place.
The firecracker unit was being run by a person named Shiva.
Minister for Tourism Kandula Durgesh expressed shock and grief over the death of two women and injuries to five women workers in the explosion. He directed the officials to rush to the village where the accident took place and to carry out rescue operations.
The Tourism Minister, now in Varanasi, sent a message in which he assured of extending all help to the bereaved families and to the injured persons.
