A meteorite has been blamed for the death of an Indian man. If confirmed it would be the first such case in recorded history.
Locals point out the crater at the spot where the meteorite reportedly impacted with the earth Photo: AFP
Authorities in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu said the meteorite fell at a private engineering college and claimed the life of a local bus driver.
The impact left a 1.5 metre crater in the ground and shattered window panes in a nearby building, local media have reported.
The man was killed as he walked across open ground, and three others were injured
The rock which hit the ground weighed just 11 grams.
Piece of a meteorite found at a private engineering college in Vellore. One person was dead in the explosion. pic.twitter.com/TON5qzIw7N
— J Sam Daniel Stalin (@jsamdaniel) February 7, 2016
Scientists are now investigating the claims.
Cases of meteorites hitting Earth's surface are very rare, with most meteors usually burning up as they passed through the Earth's atmosphere. Those that survive the fall to Earth are known as meteorites.
There have been no deaths by meteorite in recorded history, although historical records show a large meteorite killed about 10,000 people in China in 1490.
- BBC
