One killed and six injured in Muzaffarpur gas pipeline blast
An explosion occurred in Bihar after a JCB machine damaged an underground gas pipeline during drain construction work.
An underground piped natural gas (PNG) pipeline was damaged during drain construction in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district on Monday, causing an explosion and fire, according to ANI. The incident, which took place in the Gobarsahi-Dumri area, resulted in one death and left at least six people injured.
The blast occurred between 12:10 pm and 12:15 pm when a JCB machine being used by the Road Construction Department (RCD) for excavation work hit the pipeline, according to District Magistrate (DM) Kumar Gaurav. The shockwaves from the explosion damaged a four-storey building and shattered windowpanes of houses within a 100-metre radius. Several vehicles were also damaged.
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 triggered a fire that was brought under control by the fire brigade, police, and district administration teams.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra said the police are coordinating with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and experts from Indian Oil due to the technical nature of the leak. Mishra stated that if negligence is found, an FIR will be registered.
DM Gaurav has ordered a detailed inquiry to establish how the incident occurred and to identify those responsible. The administration is currently investigating the pipeline leak and the subsequent explosion.