9 Nepalis dead in Himachal gas cylinder explosion
The victims, all from Siddhakumar Rural Municipality-2 in Salyan, belonged to two families.
KATHMANDU: Nine Nepalis have died in a gas cylinder explosion and subsequent fire in Arki, Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, India.
The victims, all from Siddhakumar Rural Municipality-2 in Salyan, belonged to two families.
Local officials confirmed the deaths: 33-year-old Dhanbahadur BK, his wife 32-year-old Kavita BK, and their children Radha (16), Renuka (10), and Rajan BK; as well as 47-year-old Kashiram BK, his wife 32-year-old Tika BK, and their children Anu (12) and Kiran (7).
Village authorities announced a day of mourning following the tragedy. Both families had been working in Himachal Pradesh.
The incident was reported to their village by Kashiram BK’s brother.
According to Indian media, the explosion occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Monday inside a house that also housed a small shop.
The fire spread to nearby homes, damaging more than 15 shops.
Victims were trapped inside and later pronounced dead, possibly due to smoke inhalation.
Bhola Kumar, who works in Himachal Pradesh, informed ANI that four of his relatives were rescued but declared dead at the hospital.
