Death Toll Rises to 14 in Transformer Blast Near Jaipur

A transformer that exploded in Rajasthan’s Khatulai village near Shahpura town on Tuesday, 31 October, killed five persons and injured several others. However, the death toll rose to 14 by Wednesday, 1 November, the police told PTI.

The massive explosion took place at a time when members of a family were passing by the transformer to perform some marriage rituals.

The Medical Superintendent of Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, DS Meena, told PTI that nine more persons who sustained severe burn injuries, succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment, late on Tuesday night.

The women were performing ‘Bhaat ceremony’ (pre-wedding function) when the incident took place. Five persons died on the spot and 22 others were rushed to the SMS Hospital. Out of the 22 injured, nine more deaths, mostly women, were reported late last night. The casualties also included a pregnant woman. Three persons were discharged and 10 are undergoing treatment

Bhag Chand Meena, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Shahpura

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje met the victims at the hospital on Wednesday, 1 November. She ordered a high-level probe into the incident.

साथ ही, हादसे के बारे में विस्तृत चर्चा की तथा घायलों की स्थिति और उनके इलाज के बारे में जानकारी ली।

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) October 31, 2017

ईश्वर से मृतकों की आत्मा को शांति, शोक सतंप्त परिजनों को सम्बल प्रदान करने तथा घायलों को शीघ्र स्वस्थ करने की कामना करती हूँ।

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) October 31, 2017

Jaipur district Collector Siddharth Mahajan announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of the deceased.

The Jaipur Vidhyut Vitran Nigam Limited (JVVNL) will give Rs 5 lakh to family of the deceased and additional Rs 5 lakh will be provided through CM Relief Fund.

Siddharth Mahajan, Collector

Congress leader Sachin Pilot called the incident unfortunate and said the explosion took place due to non-maintenance of the transformer.

It is a very unfortunate incident and a high-level probe should be ordered to identify the people responsible for the negligence.

Sachin Pilot, Congress leader

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Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also tweeted that he was "deeply aggrieved to know about the tragic accident."

Deeply aggrieved to know abt tragic accident during a wedding ceremony where mny ppl died n several injured in transformer blast in Shahpura https://t.co/Wfvndqz1Zy

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) October 31, 2017

Meanwhile, villagers and local leaders thronged the area to protest against the Electricity Department’s alleged criminal negligence.

The bereaved families also refused to send the bodies for postmortem until an investigation was ordered and adequate compensation announced.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)

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