Rajasthan: Death toll in cooking gas cylinder explosion rises to 7

Jodhpur: Toll in the cylinder explosion accident during a wedding function in Bhungra village in Shergarh sub-division of Jodhpur shot up to 7 on Friday.

A leaking cylinder caused an explosion and fire in a house in village Bhungra in Shergarh during a wedding function on Thursday, injuring 52 persons.

Four more persons, including 3 women and a child, succumbed to their burn injuries in the MG Hospital's burn ward on Friday adding to the first two casualties.

Superintendent of MG Hospital Raj Shri Behra said 52 injured had been taken to the hospital on Thursday.

"Some of them were in critical condition. 5 of these injured have succumbed till now," said Behra adding that these critically injured have above 70 per cent burn.

The injured also include the groom Surendra Singh and his parents besides other family members.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday rushed to Jodhpur and met the injured in the hospital along with administrative officials. He assured them the best of the treatment.

"It is very unfortunate. Considering the seriousness of the incident, I have come here to see them and assured them all cooperation from the government," said Gehlot.

Later he announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the injured besides free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh under the Cheeranjivi scheme.

Cheeranjivi Yojna is a universal health scheme in which the Rajasthan government also provides insurance up to Rs 10 lakh per family.