Three die in explosion near Fishing Harbour in Visakhapatnam

Three people were killed and three others seriously injured in an explosion allegedly due to an LPG cylinder leak, near the fishing harbour in Bukkavariveedhi here on Thursday evening.

The blast took place at a welding shop which falls in Ward 38 of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), within the One Town police station limits.

The deceased were identified by the One Town police as the shop owner Ch. Ganesh, and workers Srinivas and Ch. Mutyalu. While Ganesh and Srinivas died on the spot, Mutyalu succumbed to the injuries later.

The injured were identified as Y. Yellaji (Madhurawada), T. Sanyasi Rao (Arilova) and I. Ranga Rao (AVN College road) of the city.

The injured were admitted to the nearby King George Hospital (KGH), where they are being treated in the intensive care unit, hospital superintendent Dr. Vani told the media.

Most of the victims suffered over 80% burns, the hospital officials said.

Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad and local MLA (Visakhapatnam South) Vamsi Krishna Srinivas Yadav visited the blast spot and the hospital and directed the hospital authorities to ensure proper treatment to the injured. Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police Shankabrata Bagchi also visited the hospital.

Visakhapatnam District In-charge Minister Dola Sri Bala Veeranjaneya Swamy, in his message, expressed grief over the loss of lives.

Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in his message, expressed grief and shock over the tragic blast. Describing the incident as deeply painful, he urged the State government to ensure immediate and high-quality medical care to the injured and provide comprehensive assistance to the families of the deceased.

Speaking to The Hindu, One Town police said, “Two persons died on the spot in the incident. A case has been registered. As per our initial information, a leaking cooking gas cylinder may have been the cause of the explosion.”