Death toll climbs to 5 in Chennai LPG cylinder blast at goldsmith workshop

CHENNAI: The death toll in the LPG cylinder explosion at a goldsmith workshop in Elephant Gate rose to five after three more injured guest workers died between Tuesday and Wednesday morning while undergoing treatment at the city hospital.The explosion occurred on February 25 on the fourth floor of a commercial building on Singannan Street and left seven workers with severe burn injuries. The latest victims were identified as Rakesh, 26, who died on Tuesday; Suraj Dholey, 23, who died at about 12.30 am on Wednesday; and Arabindu Langal, 28, who died at about 5.30 am the same day.Doctors said Rakesh suffered 41 percent flame burns and developed septicaemia during treatment. Suraj Dholey sustained 85 percent burns, while Arabindu Langal suffered 75 percent burns.2 other workers—Jayanta Sadhukhan, 43, who suffered 41 percent burns, and Ananta Ketrapal, 36—continued to receive treatment at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital. Hospital sources said Jayanta remained in intensive care, while Ananta’s condition was stable.The blast occurred at a goldsmith unit operating on the fourth floor of the building. Investigators said gas leaking from an LPG cylinder ignited when workers used a hand-held gas cutter during metalwork, triggering a powerful explosion inside the workshop. The impact of the blast trapped workers inside the unit and caused extensive burn injuries.The owner of the unit, Suman Bhag, alias Biswajit, 32, a native of Howrah in West Bengal, died on the day of the incident after sustaining severe burns. Another worker, Srimanta Maal, 48, died on Sunday night at the Rajiv Gandhi govt General Hospital after suffering extensive burn injuries in the explosion.The Elephant Gate police registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Forensic experts examined the site to determine the source of the gas leak and the ignition point. Preliminary findings indicated that the confined workspace on the fourth floor contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained by the workers.Police said the bodies of the deceased workers were handed over to their families after post-mortem examinations.Further investigation is under way to examine safety measures followed at the goldsmith unit.