A mortar shell, reportedly carried by the floodwaters of the Teesta River, exploded in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri on Thursday night, killing at least two persons and injuring four others. The mortar shell is believed to belong to the Army, which was carried away by floodwaters flowing down from the hills following the cloudburst and flash floods in Sikkim on Wednesday.
Police said the identities of the two killed in the blast are yet to be ascertained.
“The four injured persons have been admitted to hospital. A thorough probe has started,” a senior police officer said.
Local police sources said the victims possibly tried to physically inspect the mortar shells carried to the area by the floodwaters when it exploded.
“The condition of a couple of the four injured is extremely critical and the death toll might increase,” police said.
Due to flash floods following the cloudburst on Wednesday, military equipment, including firearms and explosives were washed away by the floodwater in the Teesta river.
In view of the possible risk of explosion, Jalpaiguri police have issued a notice asking the public to be vigilant as the missing equipment “poses a potential risk of a dangerous explosion”.
Meanwhile, the toll in the flash flood in Sikkim has mounted to 19 as Army and NDRF teams worked their way through slushy earth and fast-flowing water in the Teesta river basin and downstream north Bengal in search of those who were swept away and are still missing.
Comments
0 comment