A shocking incident in a quiet Madhya Pradesh village left a senior citizen severely injured on Wednesday afternoon after an unexploded artillery shell suddenly detonated. The victim, identified as 70-year-old Soni Bai, was performing a routine household chore when the blast occurred.
Details of the Bercha Village Incident
The incident took place in Bercha village, located in the Mhow region. According to the account given to the police by her family, Soni Bai was cleaning her courtyard. As part of the cleaning process, she had gathered dry leaves and other waste material and set them on fire. It is believed that an unexploded artillery shell was lying unnoticed in the area and went off due to its proximity to the flames.
Police Response and Medical Condition
Mhow ASP Roopesh Dwivedi informed the media that a team from the Badgonda police station was immediately dispatched to the village after the incident was reported. With assistance from her relatives and fellow villagers, the police team rushed the injured woman to the Mhow Civil Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Medical examination revealed that Soni Bai sustained severe injuries to her left elbow and arm. The injuries were caused by metal splinters from the shell that spread during the explosion. Authorities have confirmed that her condition is currently stable, and she is under close medical supervision at the hospital.
Ongoing Investigation and Local Concerns
Police are investigating the origin of the unexploded ordnance. The area around Mhow has a historical military presence, which sometimes leads to the discovery of such dangerous remnants. This tragic event highlights the latent dangers posed by unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) in certain regions, posing a serious risk to civilian life during everyday activities.
The incident has caused alarm among the residents of Bercha village, raising questions about the clearance of old munitions. Authorities are likely to examine the area further to ensure no other such hazardous items are present.
