Jamshedpur, May 5: A man was killed in eastern India’s Jharkhand state after a moving car exploded due to an LPG cylinder blast, police said on Sunday, while a separate building collapse at a government hospital in the state left two people dead and one feared trapped.
The car explosion occurred in the Kadma locality of Jamshedpur on Saturday, killing 50-year-old Sunil Agarwal, who was driving the vehicle. “The explosion was caused by the LPG cylinder and the car was completely burnt to ashes,” said Manoj Thakur, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Central Crime Response).
Police recovered the charred remains of Agarwal’s body from the vehicle.
Investigators said a mangled LPG cylinder was found at the scene, and the victim’s family confirmed he had left home with the cylinder.
Eyewitnesses said the car burst into flames within seconds, leaving no time for any rescue. “The car turned into a ball of fire within seconds,” said a local resident.
A forensic team collected samples from the site and an investigation has been launched. Authorities warned against unsafe transportation of LPG cylinders, noting that leaks from faulty valves or damaged cylinders can lead to explosions. Although transporting LPG in private vehicles is allowed for short distances, experts stress the need for strict safety precautions.
In a separate incident, a portion of the medicine department corridor on the second floor of MGM Hospital in Jamshedpur collapsed at around 4 p.m. on Saturday, trapping several people.
Two people died, while one person remains feared trapped under the debris. According to officials, 15 people were initially trapped but most were rescued.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has ordered an investigation into the incident. “A probe into the mishap has been ordered,” Soren said. A committee has been formed to assess the cause of the collapse and is expected to submit a report within 48 hours.
