Agartala, June 25: Three persons were injured, one of them critically, after a powerful explosion of unknown origin ripped through a flat in Agartala’s Ramnagar area on Thursday, triggering panic among residents and causing extensive damage to nearby homes. Authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation to determine the cause of the blast.
The explosion occurred inside a flat near Ramnagar 4 No. Road, reportedly being used as a mathematics tuition centre as well as office space. The force of the blast shattered window panes, damaged furniture and household belongings, and affected adjoining flats and nearby residential buildings.
Police, fire service personnel and officials of the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC) rushed to the scene soon after the incident. The area was cordoned off while rescue operations were carried out and evidence collected. The injured were shifted to AGMC and GBP Hospital, where one of the victims was reported to have sustained severe burn injuries and remains in a serious condition.
Agartala Mayor and local MLA Dipak Majumder, who visited the site, said the exact cause of the explosion could not be confirmed and urged people to refrain from speculation until the investigation is completed.
“A blast occurred inside a flat where office-related activities were being carried out. At present, nobody can say what caused the explosion. The impact was severe, damaging not only the flat but also neighbouring houses. The police investigation will establish the cause,” Majumder said.
He noted that the incident left residents in shock, with many rushing out of their homes after hearing the loud explosion. Several neighbouring families also suffered property damage.
The Mayor said the AMC would review safety measures in residential buildings to assess whether adequate emergency response mechanisms were in place to deal with such incidents.
“This could have turned into a much bigger tragedy. We will examine whether additional safety measures are required,” he added.
Meanwhile, some local residents claimed the intensity of the explosion suggested that certain materials might have been stored inside the premises. However, officials have neither confirmed nor ruled out any possibility.
Police said forensic experts and technical teams would examine the site, while investigators continue collecting evidence and questioning persons associated with the premises. Authorities maintained that the cause of the explosion remains undetermined and appealed to the public not to speculate until the inquiry is complete.
