NEW DELHI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least six people died when the gelatine-sticks they were trying to dispose exploded at an illegal stone quarry site in India's southern state of Karnataka on Tuesday, confirmed a local policeman.
The incident occurred in the state's Chikkaballapur district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences at the deaths. "Pained by the loss of lives due to a mishap at Chikkaballapur in Karnataka. Condolences to the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover quickly," he tweeted.
According to local media reports, state's Health Minister K. Sudhakar said a stringent action would be taken against the owners of the mines who had stored the explosives illegally.
Six people were killed on Jan. 22 in a similar accident at a quarry site in Karnataka's Shivamogga district. Enditem