Cylinder blast in MP snuffs out 89 lives

The blast occurred at 8.30 am, destroying two buildings — one in which explosive material for digging wells was stored and an adjacent restaurant, and damaging several houses, officials said. “About 89 people have died in the explosion,” block medical officer Urmila <g data-gr-id="50">Choyal</g> said. 

The blast took place in the building of Rajendra <g data-gr-id="57">Kasawa</g>, who has a licence to use <g data-gr-id="59">explosive</g> material for digging wells in rocky areas. <g data-gr-id="58">Kasawa</g> had stored the explosive material, including gelatin sticks, in the building having two shops and near the busy Sethia Restaurant in the new bus stand area, a police official said.

A large number of labourers were sitting near the restaurant when the explosion took place. Besides, many were inside the restaurant, a major eating joint in the area, an eyewitness said.

One of the injured, Narsingh (42), said body parts were strewn in the area after the blast. “We have seen them flying and falling on the ground. Vehicles, especially two-wheelers, were mangled and lying on the road,” he said. Due to the impact of the explosion, the double-storey house, in which explosive material was stored, collapsed, trapping a number of people,” he said.

State home minister Babulal Gaur said a high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident. Expressing anguish over the loss of lives, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced an <g data-gr-id="44">ex-gratia</g> of Rs 2 lakh each to kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for those injured.

“So far, we have performed <g data-gr-id="48">autopsy</g> on 60 bodies. The rest are lying on the premises for post-mortem room,” chief medical officer Arun Sharma said.

Most of the victims include labourers. Some people going to Gujarat were also standing near the restaurant for snacks. Most of them were either killed or injured in the blast, police said.

“Initially, we heard the sound of crackers from a house that has two shops on the ground floor. Later, when someone opened its shutter, a blast took place, forcing people to run for security,” said Balram, an injured labourer in Jhabua district hospital.

Earlier, the police had said that the explosion was caused by a cooking gas cylinder in the restaurant.  “I am in constant touch with officials. The incident is sad and has left me shaken. The reasons for the blast will be investigated,” the Chief Minister said.

Senior officials from Jhabua, including superintendent of police GG Pandey and state tribal welfare minister Antar Singh <g data-gr-id="43">Arya,</g> rushed to the spot. A team of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was also pressed into service.