Date:07/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/07/stories/2008070757500100.htm

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Two children killed in cylinder blast

Staff Reporter

Four in hospital; condition of one of them is critical

The names of the injured were given as Anjan, Manjunath, Kushal, Vikas
Street vendor selling gas balloons arrested

Sanjay Gupta and Nagaraj

BANGALORE: Purchasing balloons from a street vendor proved fatal for six children on Sunday when the cylinder which the vendor was carrying burst resulting in the death of two in J.P. Nagar 6th Phase here.

The condition of one of the four injured children admitted to Victoria Hospital is stated to be critical.

It was in the afternoon that the children, all residents of Anjaneya Temple Street in Sarakki Garden, went running to the call of the street vendor, who had come on a cycle to sell balloons.

“They were all priced at Rs. 2 each. Sanjay also took money and rushed to the vendor,” said T. Timmegowda, a neighbour of 11-year-old Sanjay Gupta, who was killed in the blast.

Before the street vendor Manoj could hand over the balloons to them, there was a blast that caused panic in the area.

“I thought an electric transformer burst. I rushed to the spot along with other residents,” said Prakash, a tailor, who lost his son Nagaraj (14).

While Nagaraj was found dead on the spot, Sanjay was found seriously injured. “The other injured were found next to the Sarakki Lake bund,” said R. Velu, a resident.

All the injured were taken first to Rajashekar Hospital and then to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital.

They were later taken to Victoria Hospital.

Sanjay, who suffered injuries in the head and legs, was taken to National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, where he was declared dead.

The condition of Anjan (13), who is in Victoria Hospital, was reported to be critical.

The names of the other children who have been injured were given as Manjunath (7), Kushal (5) and Vikas (12).

Only son

Sanjay is one of the two children of rice merchant Druvakumar. Sanjay was studying in the 5th standard in Oxford School. “Druvakumar was attached to Sanjay as he was born several years after the birth of his daughter,” Mr. Timmegowda said.

Druvakumar and his wife were not in a position to speak about the incident.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) S. Ravi said the blast was a result of “excess filling of the gas in the cylinder”.

The police have arrested the street vendor Manoj, who is a native of Delhi.

Meanwhile, Bommanahalli MLA Satish Reddy visited the spot and consoled the families of the victims of the blast.