Seven people were killed and eight injured, due to an LPG cylinder blast in a factory in west Delhi’s Sudarshan Park on Thursday, 3 January, news agency, ANI reported. The blast triggered a partial building collapse.
Sumit Gupta, an accused in the case has been arrested, reported ANI.
The police told PTI that the owner of the “factory” was among the injured. A National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also added that there is no possibility of anyone being repressed in the building.
According to PTI, the fire department received a call about the collapse at around 8.48 pm and eight fire tenders, along with ambulances, were rushed to the spot.
“The incident took place in Moti Nagar’s Sudarshan Park area after an LPG cylinder blast... The building comprises ground and the first floors,” Monika Bhardwaj, Deputy Commissioner of Police (West), said.
Officials of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) told DNA that the commercial activity was run illegally in the two-storey building.
According to DNA, SDMC officials said that the nature of work carried out in the factory was being ascertained — whether it was a ceiling-fan or paint-making unit.
At the time of the incident, police had informed that around 15 people were rescued and shifted to Acharya Bhikshu hospital. Of them, seven died and four people, who were critical, were shifted to Safdarjung hospital.
Manish, who witnessed the tragedy unfold and also helped the team with rescue operations, said the building suffered a partial damage.
“Fifteen persons were rescued and rushed to Acharya Bhikshu hospital in front of me. Later, we got to know that six people including a five-year-old child died.”Manish, Eyewitness told PTI
A resident of the locality, Surender Jain, said he got to know about the incident through media reports.
“I was shocked to see the visuals on TV. I rushed to check the situation. Three years ago, a similar incident had occurred in the near by locality. It’s a big market where work related to fans is carried out.”Surender Jain, Resident to PTI
A case has been registered against the owner of the factory under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the matter is being probed, the DCP said.
Along with police and a Delhi Fire Service team, an NDRF team was also at the spot carrying out rescue operations in full swing, police said.
(With inputs from ANI, DNA and PTI)
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