Officials are suspecting that a faulty valve may have been responsible for the sugar factory explosion which happened in north Karnataka on Sunday, which left six dead and another five injured.

According to initial reports, a faulty valve led to an excess build-up of gas, which led to the boiler explosion. “Technical experts from Belagavi are conducting an investigation into the incident. The report is expected within a day or two,” said Deputy Commissioner KG Shantaram, speaking to The Hindu.

On Sunday, at least six people were left dead and another five injured after an explosion occurred in a sugar factory in Bagalkot district. The factory located in Mudhol taluk’s Kulali village is allegedly owned by former BJP minister and Bilgi MLA, Murugesh Nirani.

“This kind of an explosion is very rare. It is the chief engineers who take care of this delicate unit every day. We can therefore say for sure that this incident is not a result of negligence on the part of employees or factory owners,” stated factory MD Siddarth Wadennavar to TNIE.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy told officials in the district to shift those injured to hospitals and asked for an investigation to look into the accident. A statement from his office said, “The death of the six people in the blast in the sugar factory is saddening. Bagalkot district officials have been directed to conduct a probe and submit a report. The state government will provide compensation to the deceased's kin.”

The incident occurred just two days after at least 13 people died after eating prasadam served at a temple in Chamarajnagar. Another 80 have been admitted to hospitals and are being treated.