NEW DELHI, Sept. 12 (UPI) — At least 82 people were killed and dozens were injured Saturday when an explosion ripped through a restaurant in the central Indian state ofMadhya Pradesh.
A two-story building collapsed in the explosion, possibly trapping people under the debris. Police said a gas cylinder used for cooking exploded about 8:30 a.m. local time, setting off a second blast of mine detonators stored in a nearby building, possibly illegally
“The restaurant was located in a tightly packed locality where a lot of people were having breakfast, that is why the casualties are so high,” senior district police official Seema Alava said.
Several houses and nearby buildings were also destroyed.
Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed grief over the incident.
“I have directed the minister in-charge to go to the spot,” he said. “The administration has reached the spot. I have asked the principal secretary to skip the Hindi Sammelan and arrange treatment for those injured in the blast. I am in constant touch. The incident is sad and has left me shaken. The reasons for the blast will be investigated.”
