Overview

• Nine people, including local and Bengali artisans, have been confirmed dead, with several others injured, three critically, following the explosion.
• The blast occurred at 11 AM on May 7 in a jewellery shop where gold inlay work was being done, flattening 21 shops and causing significant structural damage.
• Rescue operations by police, SDRF, and fire teams are ongoing but have been hindered by narrow lanes and unstable debris in the unauthorized market area.
• Authorities have identified unsafe storage and on-site refilling of LPG cylinders as the likely cause, with investigations continuing into regulatory violations.
• State leaders, including Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, have pledged relief, medical care for the injured, and support for victims’ families.