Helium Gas Cylinder Blast Kills One, Injures Five Near Mysore Palace

A tragic explosion involving a helium gas cylinder claimed one life and injured five others in Mysuru, Karnataka, on Thursday evening. The incident unfolded around 8:30 pm directly in front of the prominent Jayamartanda gate at the iconic Mysore Palace, a location frequented by visitors and vendors. Authorities confirmed the cylinder, typically used for inflating balloons, detonated suddenly, causing immediate chaos in the bustling area.

The victim, identified as 40-year-old balloon seller Salim, son of Khamaruddin and a resident of Tofiya village in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj district, succumbed to the blast on the spot. Emergency responders arrived promptly, but efforts to revive him proved unsuccessful. The force of the explosion highlighted the inherent dangers associated with handling pressurized gas containers in public spaces.

Five bystanders sustained injuries in the vicinity and were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. The injured individuals include Shehnaz Shabbir, aged 54; Lakshmi, aged 45; Kotresh Gutte, aged 54; Manjula Nanjangud, aged 29; and Ranjita, aged 30. Hospital officials reported that all are receiving necessary care, with assessments ongoing to determine the extent of their conditions.

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Police personnel secured the site immediately following the explosion, cordoning off the area to facilitate forensic examination and evidence collection. A detailed investigation has been launched to ascertain the precise cause of the cylinder failure, including potential factors such as overpressurization, structural defects, or mishandling during operations.

This unfortunate event serves as a stark reminder of safety protocols required for vendors utilizing compressed gases in crowded tourist spots, prompting authorities to review regulatory measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

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