E-Paper
Hoshiarpur: 2 killed, 5 hurt in blast while extracting metal from shell
Two persons, including a woman, were killed in a blast that occurred when they were trying to extract metal from a shell-like object that came in scrap in a hutment at Bhangi Choe on the outskirts of Hoshiarpur on Sunday.
Two persons, including a woman, were killed in a blast that occurred when they were trying to extract metal from a shell-like object that came in scrap in a hutment at Bhangi Choe on the outskirts of Hoshiarpur on Sunday.
Although the area dwellers feigned ignorance as to what caused the blast, police said some persons were trying to extract metal from a scrap mortar which exploded. The blast was so powerful that the body parts of the victims flew several metres away.
One of the five injured, Gulshan, of Shastri Nagar said she had gone to the migrants’ settlement to collect money when the blast took place. “I was thrown a few meters away and limbs of one of the victims fell on me. It was so scary,” she said.
Dalbir, in whose hut the blast took place, said he had gone out at the time of incident. His mother Mamo, 60, was killed and his 8-year-old daughter Amarvati received injuries. The other victim was identified as Mohan Lal, 25.
The injured were admitted to the local civil hospital. Additional deputy commissioner (development) Harbir Singh, superintendent of police Kulwant Singh and other officials visited the blast site.
An army training camp is situated in Dada village, 10km from the city from where scrap dealers gather shells and sell the same to earn livelihood. Accidents are common as many a times the devices explode.
