Hubballi cylinder explosion at Ayyappa camp: Death toll rises to four

Hubballi: The death toll from the gas cylinder explosion near Eshwar Temple at Sainagar, Achchavva Colony, Hubballi, has risen to four.

Lingaraj Siddappa Biranoor (19), a watchman at Vidyanagar BVBC College and a resident of Achchavva Colony, succumbed to his injuries on Friday at around 4:00 PM.

Lingaraj, who had suffered 85% burns, succumbed later on Friday evening.

The incident occurred on Sunday night due to a gas leak that resulted in a fire, injuring nine Ayyappa devotees. Three victims—Nijalingappa Bepuri (58), Sanjay Savadatti (18), and Raju Mugeri (16)—succumbed to their injuries earlier. Nijalingappa passed away on Thursday, while Sanjay and Raju died on Friday morning during treatment at KIMS Hospital.

Condition of Survivors

Out of the nine devotees severely injured in the mishap, four have now passed away. Hospital sources reveal that the condition of four of the remaining victims, except a child, remains critical.

Police are continuing their investigation into the accident.