Gas explosion kills at least 15 in India

World Today

A state-owned gas pipeline exploded and burst into flames Friday, killing at least 15 people, destroying homes and forcing the evacuation of neighboring villages in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, authorities said.

Flames rose more than 80 feet (25 meters) into the air, scorching the tops of coconut and palm trees and sending dense black clouds of smoke into the sky, witnesses said. Villagers ran out of their homes and crowded the streets. Scores of houses and shops were gutted, officials said.

State Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the death toll rose to 15 when one of the injured succumbed to burn injuries.

Vandana Chanana, a top official of state-run Gas Authority of India Ltd., said 14 other people were injured in the fire in the state’s East Godavari district. Doctors said at least five of the injured were in critical condition, company officials said.