The deceased was identified as Niwas Singh, a coaching centre operator. According to local accounts, he was riding a scooter to purchase household items when the explosion occurred. The impact was so severe that he died on the spot.
Among those injured were Mukesh Kumar (20), Sonam Kumari, Mohammad Ayan (17) and Rukhsana Khatoon (40). District Magistrate Kumar Gaurav confirmed one death and six injuries. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kantesh Kumar Mishra also confirmed the death and said one of the injured persons was in critical condition.
Preliminary information suggests that the underground PNG pipeline was damaged during excavation work for drain construction using a JCB machine. The damage reportedly led to a gas leak, followed by the explosion. Local residents claimed that gas had been leaking for around 40 to 45 minutes before the blast and that people had recorded videos of the leakage.
The explosion was reportedly heard up to three kilometres away. A four-storey building near the site suffered extensive structural damage, while windowpanes of several houses within a radius of around 100 metres were shattered. Several vehicles, including a Mahindra Thar, motorcycles, scooters and a Department of Posts vehicle, were also damaged. A fire broke out in a nearby building following the explosion but was brought under control by the fire brigade.
Local residents said a large number of people had gathered near the pipeline after noticing the gas leak. Eyewitnesses described the impact as extremely powerful, with debris and damaged property scattered across the area.
District Magistrate Kumar Gaurav and SSP Kantesh Kumar Mishra visited the spot. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), police and fire services were deployed for rescue and safety operations. Authorities also used public announcements to evacuate residents from the affected area, as officials said the gas leak was continuing after the explosion.
City SP Mohibullah Ansari said the exact cause of the explosion would be established after an investigation. The FSL team was called to examine the site, while the administration was also assessing the damage to nearby properties.
Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Muzaffarpur MP Dr Raj Bhushan Choudhary Nishad expressed grief over the incident and directed the district administration and concerned agencies to expedite rescue operations and ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. He said strict action should be taken if negligence or violations of safety standards were established during the investigation.
Indian Oil Issues Clarification
Indian Oil issued a statement on Monday evening regarding the incident. According to the company, an underground gas pipeline was damaged by a machine operated by an external agency during excavation work for drain construction. This resulted in a gas leak and the subsequent explosion.
The company clarified that it had no involvement in the construction or excavation work being carried out at the site.
Residents Block Road, Demand Compensation
Late Monday night, family members and local residents placed Niwas Singh’s body at Gobarsahi Chowk and blocked the road after the body was brought home following the post-mortem examination.
The protesters demanded action against those responsible for the accident and adequate compensation for the deceased’s family.
Muzaffarpur city MLA Ranjan Kumar reached the spot and spoke with the protesters, conveying their demands to the administration. He alleged that the contractor had failed to follow mandatory safety measures while carrying out excavation work on an operational road.
The MLA said that contractors were required to follow several safety-related conditions under construction agreements and that road safety should have been prioritised during the work. He alleged that the PNG pipeline was damaged due to irresponsible use of a JCB machine despite the presence of the underground pipeline.
The district administration said compensation would be provided to the deceased’s family as per applicable disaster relief provisions.
