A devastating explosion ripped through a scrap dealer's shop in Yamunanagar on Wednesday evening, resulting in one fatality, one critical injury, and widespread panic in the local market area. The incident occurred in the Pratapnagar locality near the Balewala Devdhar stone crusher zone.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim has been identified as Pankaj, a resident of Kutipur village. He was performing welding work on iron scrap lying in the open in front of the shop when the blast occurred. Pankaj died on the spot due to the impact. Another worker, Monty from Kishanpura village, sustained serious injuries in the explosion.
Eyewitnesses and sources indicate that sparks from the gas welder being used by the two men likely ignited an unnoticed explosive substance mixed within the scrap metal. The force of the detonation was immense, creating a crater at the site and causing structural damage to nearby houses.
Impact and Immediate Aftermath
The sound of the blast was so loud that it was heard up to two kilometers away, triggering fear and confusion. "The blast was so strong that the plaster on the walls of houses started falling," recounted Suresh Kumar, a resident of Balewala Devdhar village. Frightened residents rushed out of their homes following the explosion.
The injured worker, Monty, was first rushed to a hospital in Yamunanagar. Given the severity of his injuries, he was subsequently referred to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh for advanced treatment.
Official Statement and Local Suspicions
Yamunanagar police spokesman Chamkaur Singh stated that the incident appears to have been an accident. The preliminary police assessment suggests that a compressor blew up due to the welding fire. Singh confirmed that no formal case has been registered at this stage.
However, local villagers have a different suspicion. They believe that some form of explosive material was lying concealed within the iron scrap. It is a common practice in the area for scrap dealers to procure old iron and discarded parts from defunct stone crushers, which sometimes may contain hazardous remnants.
The incident has cast a spotlight on safety standards within the scrap processing and industrial zones of Yamunanagar, raising questions about the handling and inspection of potentially dangerous materials.
