One killed and six injured in Muzaffarpur PNG pipeline blast
An explosion occurred in Bihar after a JCB machine damaged an underground gas pipeline during drain construction work.
At least one person died and six others were injured following a piped natural gas (PNG) pipeline explosion in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Monday, according to ANI. The incident took place in the Gobarsahi-Dumri area during excavation work for a drain project.
The blast occurred between 12:10 pm and 12:15 pm when a JCB machine used by the Road Construction Department (RCD) hit the underground pipeline, causing a fire and subsequent explosion, said District Magistrate (DM) Kumar Gaurav. The force of the blast damaged a four-storey building and shattered windowpanes of houses within a 100-metre radius, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
Of the six injured, one person is in critical condition while five others are out of danger, DM Gaurav said. All injured individuals were admitted to a nearby government hospital. The explosion also caused damage to several vehicles.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra stated that police are coordinating with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and experts from Indian Oil to manage the technical gas leak. He added that an FIR will be registered if negligence is discovered following a post-mortem and investigation.
DM Gaurav said a detailed inquiry has been ordered to establish how the incident happened and to identify those responsible for legal action.