Mandya (Karnataka), February 15 Two people were killed and four others were severely injured after an explosion at a chemical storage tank at a factory near the Karekatte village here on Sunday, police said.
The blast reportedly occurred while the chemical factory was being relocated.
According to police sources, two workers died on the spot. The injured have been admitted to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences here.
The facility had been in the process of moving its materials from Karekatte to a new location for some time, and the accident occurred on Sunday while the chemical tank was being cleared, police said, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
Locals have raised concerns about the factory's safety record, citing a toxic gas leak in 2022, which damaged crops in nearby areas and resulted in the death of two dogs.
It also had a negative impact on the health of the people living nearby.
Following strong opposition from farmers and locals, and the intervention of the local MLA and district administration, the factory's operations were halted, and therefore, the owners reportedly decided to move the factory to another location, they said.