Blast at Delhi CNG station kills three workers

Three people were killed and three others injured when a gas cylinder of a truck exploded during refilling at a CNG station in Delhi's Tikri Kalan area on Wednesday, according to police. All three deceased were employees of the filling station, and six people were standing near the truck when the explosion occurred, police said.

The incident took place near Tikri Kalan Metro Station, with one report placing the time at around 3:30 pm, while a family member of one of the victims said the explosion occurred between 2:30 pm and 2:45 pm. The Delhi Fire Service received a call about the incident at 3:37 pm, after which six fire tenders were rushed to the spot, a fire service officer said.

Victims identified

The three workers killed were identified as Manish, 25; Sunny, 30; and Brahmjeet, 34. Manish, who was filling the gas cylinder, died immediately, while Sunny and Brahmjeet later succumbed to their injuries, according to police. Brahmjeet died on the spot, said a relative. The other three injured, including the truck driver, are undergoing treatment at a Mundka hospital, with one in critical condition, police added. The injured were taken to hospital, where they remain under medical care.

Families allege delay in medical help

Families of the victims said they struggled to get their loved ones to hospital. Manish's family found him bleeding at the fuel pump where the blast occurred. His uncle, Vijay Prasad, said Manish remained at the pump near Tikri Kalan Metro Station for nearly 30 minutes before being taken to Safdarjung Hospital. "He lay there for half an hour. He had lost so much blood. How could anyone survive?" Prasad asked.

Prasad said the family received a call informing them that Manish was seriously injured. "I got a call saying that a cylinder had exploded and Manish was serious," he said. He added: "There was no one to take him. All gas station staff ran away." Manish had been working at the station for three years and had reported for his shift at about 2 pm.

Another relative, Aditya, who is related to Brahmjeet and injured worker Akshay, said the two brothers had worked at the station for about two years. Akshay has severe injuries on his back and internal and blunt trauma, and is in critical condition, Aditya said. Both men were married and had two children each. Aditya alleged that when the family arrived, there was no police or ambulance, and they had to carry the injured to Jeevan Jyoti Hospital in Bahardurgarh themselves. Police said senior officers, including the DCP (Outer District), the ACP, and the SHO of Mundka Police Station, were at the spot soon after the blast.

Investigation underway

The exact cause of the explosion was not immediately known. Police said they are examining the truck, the CNG cylinder, and the equipment used during refilling, and are checking whether all prescribed safety measures were followed. A forensic science team and the crime unit reached the spot and collected evidence. Police are also checking CCTV footage and statements from employees to establish the sequence of events. Police called a team from Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) for an inspection.

Perspectives

Police: Police said the exact cause is under investigation, noting they are examining equipment and safety procedures. They stated that senior officers arrived at the scene soon after the blast.

Victims' families: Families allege that injured workers, including Manish, lay bleeding for up to half an hour without assistance. They claim gas station staff ran away and that no police or ambulance was present when they arrived.