Two killed, 15 injured after LPG cylinder explodes in Hyderabad

Two persons including a woman were killed and at least 15 others, most of them girl students and software professionals, suffered injuries after a cooking gas (LPG) cylinder exploded in a ladies hostel at Gachibowli here this morning, police said.

The incident occured at around 8am when an empty gas cylinder was being replaced even as another gas-stove burner was on, they said.

"Some food was being cooked and it seems gas leaked from the regulator of the empty cylinder and there was a sudden explosion in the kitchen located on the first floor of the four-storeyed building," they added.

A watchman identified as Ramesh, 40, died after the explosion and a woman, Rekha, (believed to be aged 23), who suffered severe burns died at a hospital while undergoing treatment, a police officer investigating the case told PTI.

"A portion of the wall of the building also collapsed after the blast while at least 15 women, most of them students and software professionals, also sustained burn injuries and were rushed to different hospitals and the condition of three of them is critical," the police officer said.

An eye-witness said he saw a woman jumping from the first-floor of the building when the incident occured.

Further investigations were on.