Many posted photos of people on the streets following the mysterious sound.
Several people are feared to have been killed in an explosion at a stone quarry in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka, according to police.
“The exact number is not confirmed at this time because it is dark,” a police officer told NDTV.
Police have not ruled out the possibility of subsequent explosions at the Hunasondi quarry, near Abbalagere village, and a bomb disposal team has been called in.
The whole area has been sealed off.
The victims were reportedly transporting explosives intended for mining in a truck when the explosion occurred, the PTI news agency reported.
The vehicle was seriously damaged and the bodies of the victims could not be recognized.
Senior Shivamogga district and police officials rushed to the scene.
The explosion occurred around 10:20 pm, causing a loud sound and tremors that could also be felt in the nearby Chikkamagaluru district.
Many took the mysterious loud sound, which shattered the window panes, like an earthquake and ran into the streets.
On Twitter, many posted photos of broken windows and minor damage to buildings and people on the streets.
Huge sound in Shimoga. The vibration was felt throughout Shimoga. Everyone on the road trying to figure out what happened. Strange. Hopefully something less.
– SK (@logical_sk) January 21, 2021
The heavy sound and the houses felt shaking #Shivamogga All people out of the houses at 10:20 PM! Any release of space void or #earthquake
Huge sound in Shimoga. The vibration was felt throughout Shimoga. Everyone on the road trying to figure out what happened. Strange. Hopefully something less– Darshan p Gowda (@ DarshanpGowda5) January 21, 2021
Shivamogga is the home district of Chief Minister BS Yeddiyurappa.
(With PTI inputs)
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