One dead, several injured in Muzaffarpur gas pipeline blast
An explosion triggered by a damaged piped natural gas pipeline during excavation work in Bihar has caused widespread damage.
A gas pipeline explosion in the Gobarsahi-Dumri area of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, killed one person and injured several others on Monday, according to reports from ThePrint and The New Indian Express.
The incident occurred between 12:10 pm and 12:15 pm during drain construction work being carried out by the Road Construction Department (RCD). A JCB machine used for excavation damaged an underground piped natural gas (PNG) pipeline, leading to a fire and a blast, as stated by District Magistrate (DM) Kumar Gaurav.
The explosion caused significant damage, including a four-storey building and approximately 50 houses. Windowpanes within a 100-metre radius were shattered, and vehicles, including a JCB machine and an SVU, were damaged, according to ThePrint and The New Indian Express.
The blast was powerful enough that the sound was heard between three and five kilometres away. Rescue teams, including the fire brigade, police, and district administration, brought a resulting blaze under control.
Muzaffarpur District Magistrate Kumar Gaurav said an inquiry has been ordered to ascertain the cause and fix responsibility. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra said police are coordinating with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Indian Oil experts, adding that an FIR will be registered if negligence is found.
The injured were admitted to Sadar Hospital and Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital for treatment, according to Navlesh Kumar, the Sadar police station station house officer (SHO).