Fatal Explosion in Ayodhya: 5 Dead, Several Injured as House Collapses in Suspected Gas Cylinder Blast

Lucknow:

A devastating incident occurred in a village in Ayodhya this evening when a powerful explosion caused a house to collapse, resulting in at least five fatalities and several injuries. Multiple individuals remain trapped beneath the rubble as rescue operations continue.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed senior officials to visit the location to ensure proper medical care for the injured and to supervise rescue and relief efforts. The wounded have been transported to the district hospital for treatment.

The explosion raised initial concerns, particularly following a scooter blast in Kanpur just a day earlier that injured eight people. However, preliminary reports suggest this incident might have been caused by a firecracker explosion. Police authorities now indicate it was possibly a gas cylinder explosion.

A forensic team has arrived at the scene, with both the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police present and overseeing the situation.

Nikhil Tikaram Funde, District Magistrate of Ayodhya, stated, "It appears to have been a gas cylinder blast or a cooker explosion in a kitchen. However, we can only be certain after forensic examination."

Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav expressed his condolences on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), describing the news as "extremely heartbreaking" and calling for immediate medical treatment for the injured and a thorough investigation into the incident.