A chemical reaction led to an explosion near Fire Brigade Chowmuhani in Agartala, severely injuring two people and reducing a significant portion of an apartment to rubble.
The explosion occurred at the apartment of Dr. Biswajit Sutradhar and his wife Rupa Sutradhar, located in the Fire Brigade Chowmuhani area.
According to a senior police official, Dr. Sutradhar is in stable condition, while his wife's condition remains critical.
The incident, which took place last night, caused widespread panic and speculation throughout the city. Initial rumors suggested that the blast might have been caused by either an air conditioner or a gas cylinder in the kitchen. However, forensic investigations have debunked these theories.
A senior police official clarified, “The forensic report indicates that the explosion was due to a chemical reaction between oxygen and methane. The methane concentration in the air had significantly increased due to blockages in the room’s waste disposal pipe located in the toilet or washroom.”
Compounding the situation, an oxygen cylinder present in the room ignited due to the fire, intensifying the explosion.
A professor in a condition of anonymity explained, “A high quantity of methane can lead to a fire from even a minor spark, such as from accessing an electric switch. If the fire contacts an oxygen source, the explosion's intensity will increase manifold.”
Shashi Tharoor to visit US, Owaisi heads to Saudi Arabia over Pahalgam attack
Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor will head to the US, while the AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi will visit Saudi Arabia to expose Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Pahalgam attack and to underline India's firm stance against terrorism.
MEA refutes Rahul Gandhi’s claim on Op-Sindoor: 'EAM was misquoted, no prior warning to Pak'
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on Saturday refuting claims that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had asserted India informed Pakistan in advance about Operation Sindoor. The ministry denounced such assertions as a blatant distortion of facts.
Senior IPS officer Anurag appointed new Tripura Police Chief
The Tripura government, on Saturday, appointed Anurag Dhankar, an IPS officer of 1994 batch cadre, as the state's Director General of Police (DGP) replacing Amitabh Ranjan, officials said.
HM Amit Shah hails Operation Sindoor as a turning point in India's security doctrine
Home Minister Amit Shah, on a two-day visit to his home state Gujarat, said on Saturday that Operation Sindoor marked a historic shift in India’s national security response. He emphasised that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisive leadership, Indian armed forces struck deep into Pakistani territory, dismantling terrorist infrastructure.
India restricts entry of ready-made garments, processed food from Bangladesh
In a significant trade policy shift, India on Saturday restricted the import of ready-made garments (RMG), processed food and other items from Bangladesh to India via land ports, effective immediately.
NE region’s largest dairy unit inaugurated in Tripura to boost milk production
Northeast region’s largest dairy unit was jointly inaugurated in Tripura on Saturday by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha and Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
IT Ministry, Tripura DIT discuss AI’s role in citizen-focused governance framework
Senior government officials have underscored the pivotal role of artificial intelligence (AI) in revolutionising governance paradigms, reiterating AI’s growing relevance in enabling data-driven policymaking, augmenting service delivery mechanisms, and optimising administrative efficiency, IT Ministry said on Saturday.
Tripura Govt to establish three more general degree colleges
To ensure enhanced access to higher education, the BJP led coalition government in Tripura has decided to establish three new general degree colleges.