Rajasthan: At least 5 people died, including 3 children and 2 women, while 49 others were injured after a cooking gas cylinder burst in Jodhpur's Bhungra village late Thursday evening, police said on Friday.
According to police, 51 people who had been referred to the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jaipur, sustained 35 to 60 per cent burns while 11 sustained 80-100 per cent burns.
A portion of the house in Shergarh sub-division's Bhungra village also collapsed due to the impact of the blast that occurred on Thursday afternoon, they said.
Guests had gathered at the house of bridegroom Surendra Singh and food was being prepared for them. A cooking gas cylinder kept in the store room of the house caught fire following a leak and exploded, said Jodhpur (Rural) Superintendent of Police (SP) Anil Kayal. Other guests and villagers rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.
Earlier, the district collector of Bhungra village, Himanshu Gupta said that 42 people had sustained injuries and were undergoing treatment. Two children, Ratan Singh (5) and Khushboo (4) died on the spot.
CM Ashok Gehlot expresses grief over the incident
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Union minister and Jodhpur MP Gajendra Singh Shekhawat expressed their condolences over the loss of lives in the incident. They directed officials to provide the best possible treatment to the injured.
Speaking about the incident Gehlot said, "Some children have sustained burn injuries. There have been deaths. Our efforts are underway to save the lives of as many people as we can. We'll try such incidents don't occur in future. Compensation is to be given as per rules."
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