Four migrant workers from Odisha were seriously injured after a cooking gas explosion occurred at their rented home near Pudiyangadi harbour in Kannur, Kerala, on Friday morning. Two of the workers are reported to be in critical condition.
The explosion, which happened around 6:30 a.m., was believed to have been caused by a gas leak that went unnoticed overnight. According to the police, the gas escaped after the workers accidentally left the stove on following dinner. When one of them tried to light a flame the next morning, it triggered a powerful blast that set the room on fire.
The victims, identified as Shiva Bahra, Nigham Bahra, Subhash Bahra, and Jitendra Bahra, were all employed in the local fishing industry. They were immediately rushed to the Kannur Government Medical College Hospital in Periyaram, where two of them are being treated in the intensive care unit.
Fire and Rescue Services teams quickly arrived at the scene and brought the fire under control before it could spread to nearby houses.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the incident resulted from negligence or poor safety standards in the building. The police have also registered a case to review the cause of the gas leak and ensure proper safety checks are conducted for similar accommodations in the area.
This tragic event has once again raised concerns about the safety and living conditions of migrant workers in Kerala, many of whom live in overcrowded rented homes without adequate safety measures.