Maharashtra: Explosion at oxygen plant in Solapur hospital kills 1

A 49-year-old man died in a blast that took place on Thursday at an unused oxygen plant of a hospital in Solapur, Maharashtra.

A 49-year-old man died in an explosion that took place on Thursday at an unused oxygen plant of a hospital in Solapur district of Maharashtra, an official said.The man, who was sitting near the plant at the time of the blast, died in the wee hours of the day. Hanmant Kshirsagar fell unconscious after the blast and died during treatment, he said.The blast occurred on Wednesday night at Markandeya Sahakari Hospital's oxygen plant. According to a report by PTI, the plant has not been in use since early March.The deceased's family has alleged that the death was caused due to the blast, as Kshirsagar had inhaled a white powder-like substance that had spread in the air post the explosion, PTI reported.However, chairman of the hospital Dr Manik Ghurram said the exact cause of death will be ascertained once the post-mortem report arrives."A white powder-like substance spread in the air following an explosion at the unused plant. As the powder spread in the hospital, we shifted the patients to another building as a precautionary measure," he said, adding that it was a non-hazardous and non-toxic substance.The victim's family has filed a complaint application with Jail Road police station.Deputy commissioner of the Solapur Municipal Corporation Dhanraj Pandey said an inquiry has been ordered into the incident."As per preliminary information from doctors, Kshirsagar could have died of a heart attack. However, the exact reason for the death will be ascertained only after a post-mortem," he said. ALSO WATCH | Get Real India: Oxygen cylinder shortage in Maharashtra hit Covid-19 fight