UP: 3 children among 7 dead in cylinder blast

LUCKNOW: Three children, aged between five and 12, were among seven people killed when a suspected LPG cylinder blast triggered a building collapse in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district late on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday. Seven others were seriously injured.

Police cited the initial probe and said it suggested the cylinder blast could have been the reason for the collapse. They added the further investigation into the matter was on for more clarity.

Gonda police superintendent Santosh Kumar Mishra said the house collapsed in Thatherkapurwa locality around 11.30pm on Tuesday. He said residents of the locality helped pull out survivors and bodies from the rubble and rushed them to a local hospital. Seven people were declared brought dead while as many were undergoing treatment.

Mishra said a forensic experts’ team and a bomb squad have been called to examine the spot thoroughly and give a report at the earliest.

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his grief over the deaths and directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and help to the family. He has directed a thorough probe to ascertain the cause of the blast, officials said.