5 killed, 8 wounded as explosion flattens 3-storey building in Bihar’s Bhagalpur

At least five people were killed and 12 others injured after a massive explosion ripped through a three-storey building on Thursday night in Bihar’s Bhagalpur.

At least five people were killed and eight others injured after a massive explosion ripped through a three-storey building on Thursday night in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district.

Police and emergency services immediately rushed to the scene and began rescue and relief operations. Ten to 15 people are feared trapped under the debris of the collapsed building.

The wounded were shifted to JLN Hospital, Mayaganj where doctors declared four people dead on arrival. The others are undergoing treatment.

The incident took place adjacent to an orphanage in the district's Kajvalichak area, less than 100 metres away from the local police station. Two to three adjoining houses were also damaged in the powerful blast.

According to a neighbour who identified himself as Mohammad Yusuf, the residents of the destroyed building were in the business of making firecrackers.

Bhagalpur Range DIG Sujit Kumar said the primary reasons for the explosion were gunpowder, illegal firecrackers and country-made bombs stored in the building.

An investigation has been initiated and further details will be shared after the forensics team finishes examining the scene, police said.