Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed deep sorrow over the tragic deaths caused by a powerful blast at a private industrial unit in Mohali on Wednesday morning. The explosion, which occurred in Phase 9 of the Industrial Area, resulted in the deaths of two workers and left three others seriously injured.
Taking to social media, the Chief Minister assured that he is closely monitoring the rescue efforts. “Information has been received about a serious incident involving an oxygen cylinder explosion at a private facility in Mohali’s Industrial Area Phase 9. Sadly, lives have been lost, and others have sustained injuries. Rescue teams are on-site, and I am personally receiving real-time updates,” Mann wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
He extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, adding, “We pray for the peace of those who have passed away and hope for the swift recovery of the injured. The state government stands in solidarity with the affected families during this difficult time.”
According to local authorities, the blast happened around 9:00 AM in a unit that reportedly stored and handled both oxygen cylinders and firecrackers. Officials stated that an initial explosion from a single cylinder led to a chain reaction, triggering further blasts in adjacent cylinders.
Mohali Sub-Divisional Magistrate Damandeep Kaur, who was present at the site, confirmed the fatalities and said that the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment. “When we arrived, we confirmed two casualties and multiple injuries. The incident appears to have started with one cylinder, which led to multiple others exploding due to the intensity of the blast,” she told ANI.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Harsimran Singh Bal identified the deceased as Asif and Devender. “Our teams responded swiftly. Unfortunately, two individuals died due to the explosion. The investigation is underway to determine the exact cause,” he said.
Senior Police Officer Sirivennela, overseeing the probe, stated that initial evidence points to a possible leak or technical fault. “This appears to be a significant industrial mishap, and a detailed inquiry will clarify the circumstances. We’re also ensuring no additional hazards remain on-site.”
Authorities have cordoned off the area as a safety measure, and a forensic team has been deployed to assist in the investigation.
