KISHTWAR: In a tragic incident a gas cylinder filled with petro-max caught fire and triggered a massive blast during a marriage ceremony at Galigard village of Sarthal in Kishtwar District. 42 persons, mostly women and children, were injured. More than 30 have received severe burn injuries and condition of several of them were stated to be serious.
According to police the incident took place inside the house of Kewal Krishan at Galigard Kishtwar where large number of his relatives, friends and family members had assembled for his marriage ceremony.
There was a Havan (Special Prayers under Hindu rituals) going on and all of sudden a gas cylinder kept in a veranda caught fire causing a massive blast.
42 persons mostly women and childrens received burn injuries said a senior police officer. Police said that beside injury to 42 persons, few people received minor injuries and were let off after first aid. Police further said that out of 42 injured persons, 41 reported at District Hospital Kishtwar of whom 6 were discharged while 35 others were admitted in District Hospital Kishtwar.
Talking to the media persons, Medical Superintendent District Hospital Kishtwar Dr. Ghulam Mohammed Naqeeb said that 18 persons with severe burn injuries were referred to GMC Jammu for advance treatment by road while two critically injured persons were airlifted to Jammu. He said that many injured persons reported at District Hospital Kishtwar had injuries on their faces, hands and legs.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Baseer Ahmed Khan along with SP Kishtwar Sanjay Kotwal also visited the District Hospital Kishtwar and monitored the treatment and shifting of the injured persons. He also announced final assistance of Rs. 2000 each to the injured persons out of Red Cross fund.
