Chaos and panic described the situation that prevailed at Dilsukhnagar Thursday evening, where two high intensity blasts left a trail of devastation in their wake.
While those in close proximity with the blasts areas tried to recollect what happened, it was complete chaos as the police failed to cordon off the area for more than an hour after the blasts.
Abdul Potadiya, an employee at Dress Code, one of the shops affected by the first blast, said the explosion had taken place at around 6.40 pm. “We were doing our business as usual when suddenly, we heard a loud bang. For two minutes, we had no idea of what happened. Barely ten seconds later, we heard another explosion,” said Patodiya, who was busy clearing the mess from his shop in order to pull down the shutters.
Sheshagiri complex, the building in front of which the first explosion took place, was in shambles. The blast had destroyed window panes and parts of the building till as high as the third floor, indicating the magnitude of the explosion.
L Narsing Rao, building owner said two of his workers, Rafi (24) and another worker nicknamed Laddu (26), were seriously injured.
Other eyewitnesses also said the bus stand behind which the blast occurred left many people injured.
“Most were waiting for buses. Others who died and sustained injuries were mainly workers,” Vishal Telakunta said, whose animation office Bluefront is situated on the second floor.
The blast was so powerful that all three shops on the ground floor - Dress Code, Vani Leather & Luggage and MM mobile store - suffered extensive damage.
Locals said the cops and the fire engine arrived more than 15 minutes after the blast, during which time they shifted the injured to hospitals.