Transformer causes explosion in Delhi and Kolkata

One person got serious injuries due to a low intensity explosion before the Indian Institute of Technology’s gate caused by an electric line breakdown. The injured person has been admitted to a nearby nursing home.

The explosion occurred near the vicinity of petrol pump diagonally opposite to the IIT gate at around 11 am. No serious damage has been reported. But the damage could be immense if the blast grips the petrol pump.

Although the explosive sound sparked the rumour that blasts took place due to low intensity crude bomb. But, it was revealed later that the blast took place due to short circuit in transformer kept on an electric pole.

Even though the detailed information about the cause of blasts still has to come, initial report suggests that explosion was accidental rather than pre conceived.

The security is already on a high alert in Delhi owing to approaching Republic Day. Further the incident has triggered the high vigilance by the Delhi police. Police supplemented with dog squad have rushed to the spot as a security measure.

Earlier in the day at around 10 am another blasts caused critical injury of three people out of five injured due to transformer explosion at Shakespeare Sarani in south-central Kolkata. The injury could be higher considering busy commercial area where several business establishments are located.

The police said four pedestrians comprising a woman seriously injured that left the area in immense panic. The injured were rushed to the nearby hospital for treatment.

"Preliminary investigations show that explosion occurred in an underground power-cable of the transformer and was probably caused by a short-circuit," said a fire-services official.

"We have asked the Kolkata Electric Supply Corporation officials to find the reason for the explosion. We are also investigating the blast," Chakraborty, city police chief told reporters.

The police with bomb squad specialists cordoned off the blast site soon after the blasts. The police said the blast was powerful that caused damages of several shops and smashes of the windowpanes and banners.