Cylinder blast in Faridabad kills 1

A cylinder blast at a sheet metal workshop in the New Industrial Township area of Faridabad killed one person and damaged a vehicle on Friday afternoon.

The incident occurred when labourers were unloading oxygen gas cylinders from a vehicle in the Neighbourhood One (NH1) area. The cylinders were meant for a metal sheet workshop, close to the accident site.

Police said the owner of the factory, Pradeep Kalra, was present at the spot when a cylinder being unloaded suddenly exploded. A part from the cylinder pierced through the neck of a labourer identified as Vijay Bainsla. He died on the spot.

The cylinder flew towards the main road at speed and got lodged in Kalra’s car.

The sound of the blast triggered panic in the area with a large number of people rushing towards the site. Police personnel from the Kotwali police station too rushed to the spot. The body was taken to mortuary of Badshah Khan Hospital where the post-mortem will be conducted on Saturday.

Police have not initiated any action in this case. “We will act once a formal complaint is filed in this regard,” SHO Kotwali police station, Bharat Singh said.

“The factory owner’s statement will be recorded and the reason for the cylinder explosion will be investigated,” police said.