BENGALURU: A 10-year-old boy died, while 11 others, including his sister and mother, were injured in a mysterious explosion near Wilson Garden between 8 am and 8.20 am on Friday. Fifteen makeshift houses were damaged in the incident. Though the blast is suspected to have occurred because of a gas cylinder explosion, the exact reason is yet to be ascertained.
The incident occurred at the house of Kasturamma, who is being treated at Victoria Hospital, located in the congested Sri Rama Colony opposite Adugodi post office on DG Road in Chinnayanpalya. The deceased, Mohammed Mubarakulla, was rushed to the Sanjay Gandhi Hospital where he died during treatment.
The injured are identified as Shabeen Bhanu (38), Fathima (8) (mother and sister of Mubarak); Sarasamma (60), Khayal (12), Subramani (62), Aman Jaffar (50), Shrinath, (45), Kasturamma (48), Sheikh Najeebulla (40), Prameela (25), and Rajesh (38).
Blast severely damaged 15 shanties
The injured are undergoing treatment at Sanjay Gandhi Hospital, Victoria Hospital, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, NIMHANS and Agadi Hospital in Wilson Garden.
The blast at Kasturamma’s house severely damaged 15 makeshift shanties around it. The local residents called the police control room around 8.20 am and the fire department five minutes later. Two fire tenders with about 25 personnel rushed to the spot and helped the authorities clear the debris. The entire area was cordoned off. The blast was so severe that it triggered panic 1 km away with residents rushing out of their houses.
Of the 15 houses, seven are completely damaged. Scene of Crime Officers (SOCO), both National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Forensic Science Laboratory SL, bomb detection and disposal squad, fire and emergency services, anti-sabotage check team and dog squad rushed to the scene, the police said.
“The explosion occurred on the first floor of a building because of a suspected gas leak. But nothing substantial has been found after checking both technically and physically. The neighbouring houses were also checked,” Ramesh Banoth, Additional Commissioner of Police (East), said.
The bomb disposal squad camped there for over 10 hours to check if the explosion was due to explosives. “The police are investigating to ascertain the exact reason. The debris is being cleared. Five to six teams have been formed to look into the issue. A detailed investigation will throw light on the exact reason,” Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said.
A case of causing death by negligence (BNS 106) and causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others (BNS 125(b)) has been registered by the Adugodi police.
CM, DCM visit spot, announce ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao visited the spot.
“The exact reason will come to light after the authorities complete the investigation. Prima facie, it appears to be a gas cylinder explosion. An ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased and the treatment cost of all injured will be borne by the government. Temporary arrangements have been made to those who have lost their houses. The government will rebuild all the damaged houses. The condition of a woman identified as Kasturamma is said to be critical,” Siddaramaiah said.
Later in the evening, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar visited the spot.