Kottayam: A 58-year-old well-digger worker, Reji, blew himself up in Irattunada, Manarcadu on Tuesday night, using explosives that are deployed to break rocks. The incident happened around 10.30 pm in a property adjacent to his home, owned by his brother. He was found with his abdomen severely ruptured in the blast. Relatives alerted police after hearing the explosion.

"Reji was drunk and had a minor dispute with his wife before leaving home. The inquest has been completed, and the body was taken to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination," said a Manarcadu police officer. A case of unnatural death has been registered. Raji is survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.