A sudden gas cylinder explosion rocked a chawl in Mumbai's Mankhurd area on Tuesday afternoon, leaving two residents with significant burn injuries. The blast caused immediate panic and led to local residents rushing the victims to a major hospital for treatment.
Incident Details and Immediate Aftermath
The gas cylinder blast occurred at approximately 3:40 PM in a chawl located on 30 Feet Road in Janata Nagar, Mandala. The site is situated beside the Al Madina Hotel in Mankhurd. According to officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the force of the explosion was severe enough to damage a portion of the roof in the room where the incident took place.
Alert neighbours and locals quickly took charge of the situation. They helped the two injured men out of the damaged structure and arranged for their urgent transportation to a medical facility. Both victims were taken to Sion Hospital, a major public hospital in central Mumbai known for handling trauma cases.
Condition of the Injured Victims
The two individuals injured in the blast have been identified. Prithwipal Jaspal, aged 40, sustained approximately 30% burn injuries. The second victim is Rajesh Khichad, aged 25, who suffered about 25% burn injuries. Both were reported to be under medical care at the hospital following the traumatic event.
Safety Concerns and Community Response
This incident has once again highlighted the critical issue of gas safety in densely populated urban settlements like chawls. Such areas often have close-quarter living conditions where a single accident can have devastating consequences. The quick thinking of the local community in providing immediate assistance likely played a crucial role in getting the injured timely medical attention.
Authorities are expected to look into the exact cause of the cylinder blast. Incidents like these serve as a stark reminder for residents to regularly check their gas connections and cylinders for leaks and ensure proper ventilation in their kitchens. Ensuring safety protocols can prevent such dangerous and life-altering accidents.
