One person is reportedly dead in an explosion in Bengaluru's Vyalikaval. The nature of explosion is still unknown. According to ANI, the explosion took place outside the residence of the Congress MLA from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, Munirathna. Police is present at the spot and a probe is underway.
“The explosion occurred around 9:15 am on the road. One person, who was walking on the street, was killed in the blast. We don’t know the nature of the explosion yet.”T Suneel Kumar, Bengaluru Police Commissioner
"There is a small crater at the location, so the explosion has occurred from ground. Our forensic teams are on the ground," the commissioner added.
The victim has been identified as Venkatesh.
The initial investigation finds no evidence suggesting foul play. Chemical used to mould Plaster of Paris kept in a drum led to the explosion, said police sources. Deceased Venkatesh used to work as a washerman at the house and the plaster of Paris exploded when he was moving a drum, said sources. He was 56-years-old.
Police sources also said the left hand and the face of the victim had severe blast injuries, indicating he was either carrying the can or trying to open it.
The chemical is yet to be identified. According to sources, 30 such cans of chemicals were procured from Hyderabad two years ago. This was the last of two cans.
It remains unclear how the chemical exploded. MLA Munirathna called for a thorough investigation into the death, reported The News Minute.
Venkatesh lived in the JNNURM residential complex built for the washermen community in the area. He used to work in the dhobi ghat and also at the MLAs godown.
According to a report in The Indian Express, police confirmed that the MLA was not there at the residence when the incident took place.
“After the preliminary investigation, it has been found that the blast took place from a room where chemicals were stored. The victim was speaking on the phone as the blast took place. We have heard that the victim’s daughter is part of the MLA’s office staff but this has not been confirmed yet,” the police told The Indian Express.
“Venkatesh is not an outsider, we grew up together. I’m very upset over what happened to him. This breaks my heart. Even our fathers were friends, they had gone to college together. So he is more like a family. But let us not say anything that comes to our mind about the accident and speculate. Let’s not spread rumours about a dead man. Police will calm things down. I was the one who called the police after hearing the explosion. I have faith in the police and let them investigate.”Congress MLA Munirathna
(With inputs from ANI and The News Minute)
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