A Muzaffarpur PNG pipeline blast killed one person and injured six others after an underground gas line was damaged during drain construction in the Gobarsahi area under Sadar police station limits on Monday, according to district authorities and police. The explosion also damaged houses and vehicles, prompting a fire brigade response and an investigation into the construction work.
The deceased was identified as Srinivas Singh, a coaching centre owner and resident of Srinagar Colony. He was returning on his scooty after depositing his child’s school fees when the blast occurred. He suffered fatal head injuries in the explosion.
According to residents, an earth-moving machine working on the drain construction near the pipeline damaged the underground gas line. The resulting gas leak is suspected to have triggered the blast. Locals said the explosion was heard up to about 3km away.
The force of the blast damaged a four-storey building and shattered windowpanes in houses within a radius of about 100 metres. Several other homes and vehicles were also damaged. Two motorcycle riders suffered burn injuries, while an SUV carrying two occupants was caught in the blast. The vehicle had a Vaishali registration number and displayed a JD(U) flag.
All six injured people were taken to hospitals. Vijay Ram, 32, of Dumri, and Vikas Kumar, 27, of Paramaul village in Vaishali, were admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital. Mukesh Kumar, 20, of Baradampur; Sonam Kumari, 36, of Gobarsahi; and Mohammad Ayan, 17, and his mother, Ruksana Khatun, 40, were admitted to a private hospital in Gobarsahi.
District magistrate Kumar Gaurav said the PNG pipeline had been damaged during drain construction by the road construction department. He confirmed one death and six injuries and said compensation would be provided to the deceased’s family under applicable disaster relief provisions.
Senior superintendent of police Kantesh Kumar Mishra said one injured person was in critical condition with approximately 60% burns. He said a case would be registered against the contractor engaged for the work and other officials after a proper investigation.
The incident has placed the safety of underground gas infrastructure at the centre of the official inquiry. The next steps identified by the district administration and police are the investigation, registration of the case and assessment of compensation for the bereaved family.
