New Delhi: Three people died, and nearly three were critically injured after the gas cylinder of a truck exploded while it was being refilled at a CNG station in outer Delhi's Tikri Kalan on Wednesday, police said.
They said all three deceased were fuel station employees.
A Delhi Fire Service (DFS) officer said they received a call regarding the incident at 3.37 p.m., following which six fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
Six people were standing near the truck when the explosion occurred, and they were rushed to the hospital, the officer said.
According to police, Manish died on the spot while Sunny and four other people were rushed to a nearby hospital. Sunny died during treatment. The identity of the third deceased is being ascertained, a senior police officer said.
The condition of the three injured is critical, the officer said.
Police said the exact cause of the explosion was not immediately known.
No one came for rescue, alleges victim’s family
The family of Manish, who was killed in the mishap, alleged that they found them bleeding on the ground when they rushed to the spot.
For nearly 30 minutes, Manish remained at the fuel pump near Tikri Kalan Metro Station before he could get an ambulance and be rushed to Safdarjung Hospital, his uncle Vijay Prasad said.
"He lay there for half an hour. He had lost so much blood. How could anyone survive?" Prasad told PTI.
Manish, who had been working at the fuel pump for around three years, had reported for his shift at about 2 pm on Wednesday.
According to his uncle, the explosion occurred around 2.30 p.m. or 2.45 p.m.
Prasad said he was informed over the phone that a cylinder had exploded and that Manish was seriously injured.
"I got a call saying that a cylinder had exploded and Manish was serious. I called my brother, and he, my nephew, and several other people came here," he said.
By the time he could be put into the ambulance, he had lost enough blood.
"There was no one to take him. All gas station staff ran away," Prasad said.
