KOLKATA: At least two people were killed and five injured when a gas cylinder in a canteen exploded in the state-run SSKM hospital here on Friday.

Police said two people died on the spot while five others were seriously injured. The condition of one of them was stated to be critical.

The dead were identified as canteen employees Apurba and Laltu.

Eyewitnesses and police said the incident occurred around 12.30 pm at Amantran, a canteen run by physically challenged people inside the hospital premises.

Some new cylinders had arrived in the canteen. One of them probably exploded and the canteen caught fire. The blaze was extinguished by fire brigade personnel.

The canteen is close to the maternity ward of the hospital.

All the injured were immediately admitted since the accident occurred inside the hospital premises.

The SSKM hospital is also known as The Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education & Research (IPGMER).