8 dead in India quarry blast

Eight people were killed in an explosion at a blast at a stone mining quarry in Karnataka's Shivamogga district of India on Thursday, reports NDTV.

The possibility of subsequent explosions at the quarry at Hunasondi near village Abbalagere has not been ruled out by the police since some dynamite sticks are still live, the police said. A bomb disposal squad has been called in and the entire area has been sealed.

The people who died in the explosion were reportedly transporting the explosives meant for mining in a truck when the incident happened. The truck was destroyed, the police said.

The blast occurred around 10:20 pm, resulting in a loud sound and tremors that could be felt in nearby Chikkamagaluru district as well. Many took the mysterious loud sound - which shattered window panes - to be an earthquake and ran out to the streets.

On Twitter, many posted photos of broken windows and minor damage to buildings and of people out on the streets.