Delhi’s Okhla Oxygen Cylinder Blast Leaves 1 Dead, 4 Injured

One person was killed and four others injured after an oxygen cylinder exploded at a commercial godown in Okhla Phase 1 on Wednesday, according to police and officials. The deceased was identified as 35-year-old Mohit Singh, who worked as a helper for a company operating from the area. The injured workers were taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for medical treatment.

Police received a PCR call about the explosion at around 10:45 am, following which three fire tenders and a multi-casualty response vehicle were dispatched to the site. Singh reportedly died at the spot following the blast. The four injured workers were identified as Umesh, Arvind, Manoj and Pankaj, who were subsequently shifted to hospital for treatment.

Singh, a resident of Jaipur, had been working with the firm for around three years, police said. Preliminary information indicated that the workers were employed by a company involved in the trading and local distribution of industrial oxygen cylinders. The cylinders were reportedly used for medical purposes as well as gas-cutting work, making their handling and transportation a key part of the company’s operations.

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According to preliminary information, a vehicle carrying oxygen cylinders had arrived at the premises on Wednesday morning. The workers were unloading the cylinders and moving them into the godown when one of the cylinders reportedly fell from the vehicle onto the road and exploded, PTI reported, citing an official. The blast occurred during the unloading process, though authorities have not yet determined what caused the cylinder to explode.

Police and other authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident to establish the precise cause of the blast. The cylinder involved in the explosion, the vehicle used to transport the cylinders and other material at the premises are expected to be examined by technical and forensic experts. Investigators will assess whether the explosion was linked to the cylinder itself, its handling or another factor at the site.

The incident has raised concerns over the safe handling and storage of industrial oxygen cylinders at commercial premises. However, authorities have not yet attributed the blast to any specific safety lapse or established whether there was a violation of prescribed procedures. The investigation is continuing, while the four injured workers remain under medical care at the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

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