Two killed, three injured as unidentified object explodes near Kancheepuram

The bomb squad is ascertaining as to what kind of explosive device it was

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Two people died and three others were injured when an unidentified object exploded from a pond near a temple at Manampathi in Kancheepuram district. A bomb squad is present at the site to establish the cause of the explosion. The police sources have clarified that there is no connection between the blast and the recent security alert sounded by intelligence agencies, based on reports of terrorists entering Tamil Nadu.

"Investigations are on. The bomb squad is ascertaining as to what kind of explosive device it was," said D. Kannan, Kancheepuram superintendent of police. According to eye-witness accounts, the blast happened around 3.30pm on Sunday, at an unused temple pond close to the Gangai Amman temple. While Suriya, 23, died on Sunday evening, the four who sustained injuries were admitted to a nearby private hospital. On Monday morning, Dhilip Raghavan succumbed to his injuries, while the others—Thirumal, Yuvaraj and Jayaram, all aged 22, are still at the hospital.

The local residents reportedly hired a private firm in the district to desilt the pond. Though the desilting work was over a few days before, it is yet to be established if the blast was a result of their activities.