Visakhapatnam, Aug. 9 -- The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday extended financial assistance to the families of three people who lost their lives in a tragic gas cylinder explosion at a welding shop near Bukkaveedhi in the Fishing Harbour area, the release said.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had earlier announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for each victim's family.

On Saturday, State Home and Disaster Management Minister Vangalapudi Anitha personally handed over the cheques, accompanied by Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsikrishna Srinivas, District Collector M.N. Harendira Prasad, and City Mayor Pilla Srinivasa Rao.

The Minister visited the homes of victims Chintakayala Muthyalu and Ganesh, offering condolences to their families and...