Gas cylinder explosion in Pune injures 24 persons, mostly children

Pune, Jan.26 (ANI): At least 22 children and two adults were injured when a gas cylinder, used to fill balloons, exploded here on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the densely populated neighbourhood of Kothrud in the city where the roadside hawker was selling the air balloons.

Initially, the explosion of the cylinder frightened many locals since there were reports that terrorists could disturb the R-Day festivities and create panic among general public.

"The balloon seller had come to sell balloons out here. He was mixing something when the incident took place. Around 20 to 22 children and two adults have been injured. Since it is holiday today so all the kids were playing outside. No one is critical and we are inquiring which chemicals were used in the cylinder," said Chandrakant Dhodka, Police inspector with Kothrud Police Station.

The injured were rushed to a city hospital where they are being treated.

"The balloon seller had come and he was filling the balloons with gas. He went near an electric lamp pole and suddenly the cylinder exploded," recalled Ali Mohammad Sheikh, an injured boy.

Police are investigating the incident. (ANI)