Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati

Amaravati, Oct 24: At least five people are feared dead in an explosion near Pinakota in Ananthagiri mandal of Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Saturday. The death toll has not yet been officially confirmed.

Preliminary information suggests that a diesel truck may have been involved in the explosion. Paderu Deputy Superintendent of Police Raja Simha Reddy told The New Indian Express that the identities of those feared dead had not yet been established.

The police clues team and the local sub-inspector were proceeding to the spot to investigate the incident, he said. A sub-inspector also clarified that the explosion did not occur in a mining area.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha spoke to district Collector T. Nishanthi and Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar to obtain details about the incident.

The minister expressed condolences over the reported deaths and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and provide necessary assistance to those affected. She assured that the government would stand by the families impacted by the incident.

Further details regarding the cause of the explosion, casualties and the circumstances surrounding the incident are awaited.