Elephant Gate cylinder blast: Death toll rises to 5

Chennai: The Elephant Gate gas explosion tragedy deepened on Wednesday with the death toll reaching five after three workers succumbed on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Two others continue treatment for severe burns at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital.

A gas leak from a hand-held LPG cylinder ignited a blast as workers operated it on the fourth floor of a building on Singannan Street on Feb 25.

The explosion at the goldsmith unit injured seven. While Suman Bhag alias Biswajit, 32, from Howrah, West Bengal, died the same day, Srimanta Maal, 48, died on Sunday night from severe burns at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital.

The other patients were moved to Kilpauk GH for treatment. On Tuesday, Rakesh, 26, who had 41% burns, died. By 5.30am on Wednesday, Suraj Dholey, 23, and Arabindu Langal 28, who suffered 75% burns also died. Two other patients—Jayanta Sadhukhan, 43, and Ananta Ketrapal, 36—are still in treatment.

While Jayantha is still under intensive care, condition of Anantha is stable. Police said the bodies of the deceased workers were handed over to their families.

Forensic experts said confined workspace on the fourth floor contributed to the severity of the injuries. Further investigation is underway. TNN