The blast has taken place a week ahead of President Pranab Mukherjee's scheduled visit to the university on May 12.
Highlights
- Cylinder blast inside the emergency ward of the Banaras Hindu University.
- 12 people including the nursing staff injured in the blast.
- The blast has taken place a week ahead of President's scheduled visit.
An oxygen cylinder blast inside the emergency ward of the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi today injured 12 people including the nursing staff.
The injured were rushed to the trauma center of the hospital. The police have cordoned off the affected area.
Eyewitness accounts say the false ceiling of the ward came crashing down and the window panes were shattered from the explosion, which took place near the reception area at the Sir Sunderlal Hospital.
According to reports, the hospital was full of patients when the loud sound created panic. Fire engines also immediately rushed to the hospital, however, there was no incident of a fire outbreak.
The blast has taken place a week ahead of President Pranab Mukherjee's scheduled visit to the university on May 12. Taking no chances, the police have started a probe. Hospital staff was being questioned to ascertain the reasons and to fix responsibility of the blast.
Medical superintendent OP Upadhyay told NDTV that the operations at the emergency ward would be resumed after repair work is completed and the services have been temporarily shifted to another facility at the hospital.
Sources in the PMO said Prime Minister Narendra Modi enquired about the condition of 12 people who were injured as a result of the blast and announced financial relief to four of them. The prime minister also wished all the injured a speed recovery.