The Freedom Press
Patna, Nov 02: One person was killed and several others injured after an underground gas pipeline exploded during drain construction work in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district on Monday.
The incident occurred in the Gobarsahi-Dumri area near Sahu Chowk under the Sadar police station limits. According to preliminary reports, a JCB machine engaged in excavation work for drain construction accidentally damaged an underground piped natural gas (PNG) pipeline, triggering a gas leak followed by a powerful explosion.
The blast caused panic in the locality and damaged several nearby houses and vehicles. Windowpanes were shattered, while some buildings reportedly developed cracks. A four-storey building was also among the structures affected. Reports suggested that around 50 houses sustained varying degrees of damage.
One person died in the incident, while many others suffered injuries. The injured were immediately shifted to different hospitals for the treatment. Some of them were reported to be in critical condition.
Police, fire brigade personnel and senior district administration officials rushed to the spot and initiated rescue and relief operations. The area was cordoned off as a precautionary measure.
Sadar police station SHO Navlesh Kumar confirmed the death and said seven people had been injured in the explosion. District Magistrate Kumar Gaurav ordered an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the incident and fix responsibility.
Preliminary findings suggest that damage to the underground gas pipeline during excavation triggered the explosion. The administration is also examining whether adequate safety precautions were followed during the construction work.
