AGARTALA: Several people were injured after a powerful explosion ripped through an apartment building in Agartala’s Ramnagar Road No. 4 area on Wednesday, causing extensive damage and triggering panic among residents.
The blast occurred around 12 noon at a flat on the first floor of NS Apartment near Sankat Chowmuhani. Following reports of a loud explosion, emergency teams, including the Fire Service and Bomb Squad, rushed to the spot.
SDPO Deba Prasad Roy said authorities received information about the explosion at exactly noon and immediately dispatched police personnel to the location.
“At exactly 12.00 noon, we received information that a loud explosion-like sound had been heard at a flat in NS Apartment located at Sankat Chowmuhani. We immediately rushed to the spot and found that the incident had occurred on the first floor of the apartment,” Roy said.
He added that all emergency services, including the Bomb Squad and Fire Service, were alerted soon after police reached the scene.
“The concerned agencies have reached the location and have begun their investigation. We are hopeful that we will be able to determine very soon where the incident originated from and what exactly caused it,” he said.
The explosion shattered several windows and damaged portions of the building, sending residents rushing out of their homes.
Kushal Deb, who lives on the third floor, said he was inside his room when he heard a deafening blast. On stepping outside, residents discovered that the explosion had occurred in a first-floor flat.
Among the injured was a woman who sustained injuries near her eye after being struck by flying glass fragments. She was admitted to GB Hospital for treatment. A young man who was on the first floor at the time of the explosion also suffered injuries and complained of severe body pain.
Authorities have directed officials to ensure prompt medical treatment for all those injured in the incident.
The exact cause of the explosion remains unknown. While some residents suspect it may have been triggered by a gas leak, police, bomb disposal personnel and forensic experts are investigating all possible angles to determine the source of the blast.
Officials said the investigation is underway and the exact cause is expected to be established soon.
