MATALAM, North Cotabato — Authorities here reported that a plantation worker was killed while three of his companions were critically injured in an accidental grenade explosion at a remote village here.

Matalam police chief Major Arniel Melocotones on Friday identified the lone fatality as Oto Biangan Lamalan who sustained shrapnel injuries in his body and was declared dead on arrival at the hospital.

The injured, on the other hand, were identified as Angara Mangadta, Esmael Landing and Kentol Macaalay, all residents of Barangay Kidama.

"We are determining how they got hold of the fragmentation grenade," Melocotones said.

Initial investigation revealed that the victims are workers at sugarcane plantation in Kidama village.

Melocotones said Lamalan was toying with the explosive when its safety pin was accidentally removed and went off seconds later. PNA