A massive explosion near the Indian Navy’s Belekeri ammunition storage facility in the Uttara Kannada district on Thursday noon (11th December) sent shockwaves in the nearby areas. According to locals, the impact of the “deafening” explosion was felt in the surrounding villages. Windows and doors of houses in the area rattled, and over 30 houses in Alageri, Mavina, and other villages developed cracks.
Though the exact location of the explosion could not be ascertained, locals saw thick smoke rising in the area. After the explosion, the villagers alerted the Kumta assistant commissioner and Ankola tahsildar. Speaking about the incident, Ankola tahsildar Chikkayya Nayak said that he directed officials to visit the area for inspection. “Since I was out of town, I could not visit the spot. I’ve directed revenue officials and police to visit the affected areas without delay, conduct a detailed inspection, assess the damage and ascertain the exact cause of the cracks and the explosion,” Nayak said.
Local authorities conducted door-to-door damage-assessment surveys till Friday evening to assess the damage to houses in the area. “The entire house shook as if rocked by an earthquake. We rushed out and saw black smoke rising high above,” said a resident of Mavina Keri.
The Indian Navy later clarified that the explosion reported in the area was due to routine demolition activity of armament conducted at the Naval Armament Depot (NAD). “These activities are carried out in a perfectly controlled environment, in the presence of specialists, and strictly in accordance with laid-down safety protocols. The Indian Navy remains committed at all times to the safety and well-being of the local community,” said an Indian Navy statement. The Naval authorities took notice of the concerns of the locals and have been working in coordination with the local administration.
