Scrap picker dies in paint can explosion

Hyderabad: A 43-year-old scrap picker was killed and another person suffered injuries following a blast that took place as the victim tried to break open a paint can at a dump yard in Narsingi on Wednesday morning.

The police said when the victim M Kumar (43) was trying to open a sealed paint can forcibly, it exploded, killing him immediately. Another person, who was also collecting scrap next to him, suffered injuries and is being treated in a private hospital.

Narsingi inspector P Ramchander Rao said, “The blast occurred when he (Kumar) was trying to open the paint can. It contained expired paint and it seems that the explosion was due to the chemical combinations present in the box.”