A truck carrying explosives has detonated at a stone-crushing unit in southern India leaving at least five people dead, police say.
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The cause of the explosion on Thursday night is being investigated, said district administrator Shiv Kumar on Friday.
The Press Trust of India news agency put the death toll at six near Shivamogga, 300 kilometres southeast of Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka state.
Two people including a contractor at the stone-crushing unit were detained for questioning, PTI said.
The blast shattered window panes and left cracks in several homes, sending people fleeing in panic.
Kumar said police were investigating whether those killed were in the truck that blew up or workers at the stone-crushing unit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said he was pained by the loss of life in Shivamogga.
The state government is providing all possible assistance to those affected, he said.
Australian Associated Press
