An explosion took place at a GAIL pipeline in Andhra Pradesh this morning followed by a massive fire that engulfed. The incident took place at East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh close to an ONGC oil refinery where a GAIL pipeline exploded.
The 18-inch diameter pipeline supplies gas to a power plant operated by LancoInfratech Ltd. (LAIN.NS), Reuters reported.
The pipeline were reportedly rusted which could have led to the explosion and then fire.
This sudden explosion and the fire that followed have so-far killed at least 14 people while the other 15 are said to be injured. Relief and Rescue operations began immediately after the incident. 20 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to carry out the rescue operations to douse off the fire.
The fire was so massive that it spread across to some nearby resident houses, shops and trees. Reports claimed that the villagers in the area ran out of their houses in dear after the explosions.
Deccan Chronicles quotes State Home Minister N. Chinna Rajappa who informed AFP that atleast 16 people are dead and that they have recovered 13 bodies so-far.
PTI news reported that Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu told reporters there, “As per initial reports we have received, 14 deaths have been reported and some more are critically injured and undergoing treatment.”
The Andhra Pradesh government meanwhile has ordered a probe into the matter.
The Andhra Pradesh government has submitted its report to the Ministry of Home Affairs over explosion in GAIL pipeline in the state, IBN LIVE reported.
After this tragic incident, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has shut down its gas field. Remember, the ONGC gas fields are very close to the 
incident site where-in explosions and fire had erupted early this morning. Hence, to avoid any more complications, the gas fields of ONGC have been shut down.
Prime Minister NarendraModi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu have condemned the incident.
President Pranab Mukherjee, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Congress Leader Manish Tewari too condemned this incident.
Soon after the incident, Prime Minister Modi tweeted, “My thoughts with the families of those who lost their lives in the GAIL Pipeline fire in AP. Prayers with the injured.”
Through his second tweet, Mr. Modi informed that he has spoken to Petroleum Minister, Cabinet Secretary & GAIL Chairman and asked them to ensure immediate relief at the accident site. He has also announced compensation of Rs. 2 Lakh to the families of the dead and Rs. 50,000 to the families of injured.
Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, “My condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in East Godavari blast. Ordered an enquiry & actions plan to avoid these in future. He has also asked Deputy Chief Minister Chinnarajappa to go to the ONGC pipeline blast sire and provide required support.
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas DharmendraPradhan has ordered a high-level enquiry into the incident. He as well as N. Chandrababu Naidu, are going to visit the explosion and fire sight.
GAIL limited is the largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company in India. It has following business segments: Natural Gas, Liquid Hydrocarbon, Liquefied petroleum gas Transmission, Petrochemical, City Gas Distribution, Exploration and Production, GAILTEL and Electricity Generation. GAIL has been conferred with the ‘Maharatna’ status on 1 Feb 2013, by the Government of India.
Tags: Andhra Pradesh GAIL pipeline explodes LancoInfratech Ltd ONGC
