Mine Nepali migrants, including children, from two families hailing from Salyan district, were killed in a gas cylinder explosion in the Solan district of Himachal Pradesh.
The incident occurred on the night of January 11 in Arki Bazaar, where the families were residing. According to local authorities, a gas cylinder kept in their room exploded while they were asleep, triggering a massive fire that quickly engulfed their residence and damaged neighboring houses.
Victims
Mek Bahadur Budhathoki, the ward chairman of Siddhakumakh Rural Municipality-2 in Salyan, confirmed the identities of the deceased. The victims, who belonged to two related families from Takura, are Dhan Bahadur BK, 33, Kabita BK, 32 (wife), Radha BK, 16 (daughter), Renuka BK, 10 (daughter), Rajan BK, 22 months (son), Kashiram BK, 46, Tika BK, 32 (wife), Anu BK, 11 (daughter), Kiran BK, 7 (son).
Background of the tragedy
The two families had moved to Himachal Pradesh two years ago in search of employment. They were working as daily wage laborers in Arki Bazaar to support themselves.
The ward chairman noted that the fire was so intense that some of the bodies were burned beyond recognition. The sudden loss of nine community members has left the village of Takura and the entire Siddhakumakh Rural Municipality in a state of profound grief.
Local authorities in Himachal Pradesh are reportedly investigating the exact cause of the blast.
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