Karimnagar: Residents of several villages drove out their homes to fear an earthquake following a massive explosion at the open II coal mine of Singapore Collies Company Limited (SCCL), operated by Singapore Collies Company Limited (SCCL) in Nagepalli Village in Ramagiri Mandal, Peddapalli area on Thursday.
The heavy explosion caused strong vibrations in nearby villages, including Nagepalli, Ladnapur, Rajapur, Pannur and Adavinepalli, forcing residents to flee the house in panic. Many homes suffered cracks, and their walls and roofs were damaged by heavy rocks. Five villagers were injured and immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Overcoming the initial shock, villagers gathered to stage dharna, protesting against SCCL management and contractors, demanding responsibility for the incident. The former village Sarpanch Konda Odelu told Deccan Chronicle that the explosion was carried out without any prior notice of the villagers, putting their lives and property at risk.
About 110 houses were damaged. He added that many people, including the children, were outside their homes during the explosion. Otherwise, casualties could be much higher, with an estimated 20 to 25 people likely to die.
The explosion was conducted by a private OB (OB Operadenden) contractor in partnership with SCCL, which reportedly violated safety regulations. Despite repeated complaints, the Pollution Control Commission did not intervene. The thick dust released during the explosion caused the villagers’ respiratory and other health problems. Following the incident, SCCL officials and police visited the village and assured residents of the rapid repair of injured houses, compensation and medical assistance.
