Six, Including Nepalis, Missing After Gas Explosion Fire in Himachal Pradesh

Six people, including Nepali nationals, have gone missing following a fire caused by a gas cylinder explosion in Arki, Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, India.

According to SSP Prakash Mall, police liaison officer at the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi, information has been received indicating that some Nepalis may have been affected by the incident. He said coordination is underway with Indian police authorities to verify the details.

So far, three bodies have been recovered from the scene, while six others remain missing. Indian officials suspect that the victims may include Nepali nationals as well as people from Bihar.

While Nepali officials in India have stated that Nepalis may be among those affected, Mek Bahadur Budhathoki, chairperson of Siddha Kumakh Rural Municipality–2 in Salyan district, Nepal, has confirmed that residents from his municipality were involved in the incident.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday, Budhathoki claimed that nine people from two families in his ward have already lost their lives in the fire.

Relatives of the victims informed family members about the incident on Tuesday morning, according to local sources.

Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, Ward Chairperson Budhathoki has announced a mourning holiday in the ward. Meanwhile, the Salyan District Police Office stated that it has also received information about the incident and has dispatched a police team to the victims’ homes to ascertain the facts.