In Andhra Pradesh, at least 14 persons have been burnt alive and about 40 others injured in an explosion occurred at a pipe line near a natural gas rig under the control of GAIL authority of India. The incident occurred at Nagaram village in Mamidikuduru Mandal of East Godavari District early this morning.

According to local police so far 14 bodies have been taken out. The deceased include women and children. State Home Minister Chinarajappa has expressed fear that the toll may further go up.

The injured have been sent to nearby government hospitals at Kakinada, Rajolu and Amalapuram. The condition of a dozen persons who are seriously injured stated to be critical.

Meanwhile, ONGC officials with the help of police and fire extinguishers have controlled the fire. Several houses, shops and coconut gardens in about 15 acres have been reduced to ashes in the fire which rose to a height of more than 200 feet.

Meanwhile, along with Petroleum Minister D. Pradhan, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu who is in Delhi since yesterday has left for the spot a short while ago. Expressing shock over the incident, he directed the officials to provide all relief to the affected families.

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee has offered condolences to the families of the deceased. He said that he is extremely saddened to learn about the explosion of the GAIL gas pipeline in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in which some persons have lost their lives and many others are injured.

The President also said that the State Government and other agencies are taking necessary steps to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured and all possible aid to the bereaved families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also condoled the loss of lives in the fire in pipeline of Gas Authority of India Limited in Andhra Pradesh today. He had a word with the Petroleum Minister, Cabinet Secretary and GAIL Chairman and asked them to ensure immediate relief at the accident site.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rupees 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in GAIL pipeline fire. Rupees 50,000 has also been sanctioned for those who were seriously injured in the accident. This is in addition to the relief assistance given by the Petroleum Ministry and GAIL.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has expressed grief at the loss of lives in the tragic fire incident in GAIL pipeline in Andhra Pradesh. She urged the concerned authorities to provide medical relief to the injured. Mrs Gandhi hoped that immediate steps will be taken so that such incidents do not recur in the future.

The Minister for Petroleum and Gas, Dharmendra Pradhan has said that a high level committee has been set up to investigate the matter of Andhra Pradesh's Nagaram gas explosion.
He also said that the senior officials will visit the accident spot in Nagaram village of Amlapuram mandal.

They are already engaged in the rehabilitation and rescue operation and it is the government's primary concern, he added.

Talking to reporters in New Delhi the minister said that the directorate of safety has turned off the input and output points of gas supply. The fire has been doused but the situation still remains tense.

He also said that the department will go to the depth of the matter to find out the reason for the tragedy and they will initiate necessary steps for cent percent safety and security of the gas plant.