Cuttack, Oct 19: The death toll in the devastating gas cylinder explosion at a breakfast stall in Salepur, Cuttack district, has risen to five after two more injured victims died during treatment, deepening the grief across the region.
The explosion occurred on October 11 at a roadside eatery in the market opposite the Japakuda outpost. The stall, reportedly owned by Dinabandhu Behera, was rocked by the blast, leaving six people critically injured.
All the injured victims were rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack for emergency treatment. Despite medical intervention, five of them have since succumbed to their injuries, while one survivor continues to receive treatment.
Five Victims Lose Their Lives
The first reported death was that of a child named Ashrif, who died while undergoing treatment. On August 16, stall owner Dinabandhu Behera and another vendor, Niranjan Das, reportedly died from their injuries.
More recently, two additional victims, identified as Premananda Behura and a woman described in the report as Muslim, succumbed to their injuries. Their deaths have taken the toll from the explosion to five.
The dates provided in the source report for the earlier deaths appear inconsistent with the October 11 incident and require confirmation.
One Survivor Continues Treatment
With five of the six injured people reported dead, the sole surviving victim remains under medical care at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The survivor’s condition and further details about the treatment have not been specified in the available report.
The incident has left residents of Salepur and neighbouring areas mourning the loss of lives, as the consequences of the explosion continue to unfold days after the accident.
Tragedy Raises Concerns Over Stall Safety
The explosion has drawn attention to the safety risks associated with cooking gas cylinders at roadside food stalls and small eateries, where cylinders are frequently used to prepare food for customers.
Proper cylinder handling, regular inspection of gas connections and adherence to fire-safety precautions are essential to reduce the risk of leaks, fires and explosions. However, the precise cause of the Salepur blast has not been established in the information available.
As the affected families cope with their losses, further details about the circumstances of the explosion and the condition of the surviving victim remain awaited.
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of gas-related accidents and the importance of maintaining safety standards at commercial food establishments.
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