The state government on Sunday ordered a high-level investigation into the explosion in a limestone quarry in the village of Mamillapalle, Kadapa district, which killed 10 workers.
The government also announced an ex-gratia of 10 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and 5 lakh for each of the injured.
In a statement, Mining Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy said the committee, made up of officials from five departments, had been asked to present its report within five days.
Officials under the supervision of the Director of Mining and Geology inspected the site of the explosion, adding that negligence by the quarry organizers had led to the explosion.
“You did not follow the instructions when unloading the explosives. Measures will be taken against the tenant under the provisions of the MMD&R Act 1957 and the AP Small Minerals Guidelines 1966, ”the Minister said.
Amid suspicion of the likely presence of residual explosives or gelatin sticks and detonators, a bomb squad arrived to sterilize the entire area around the site of the explosion.