Daijiworld Media Network - Hubballi

Hubballi, Dec 27: The death toll from the tragic gas cylinder explosion at the Eshwara Temple in Sai Nagar, Hubballi, has risen to four.

Another Ayyappa devotee, Lingaraj Beernur (19), who was critically injured in the blast, passed away on Friday, December 27, at the KIMS Hospital. This explosion, which occurred on Sunday, has already claimed the lives of three others, and five more remain in a critical condition.

The explosion left nine Ayyappa devotees injured. Among the nine, two—Nijalappa Beepuri (58) and Sanjay Sawdatti (18)—died yesterday, while Raju Moogeri also passed away this morning. Raju Moogeri had been wearing the Ayyappa Mala for the first time.

The horrific incident took place in Achchavva Colony near Unkal in Hubballi, and the government has taken the matter very seriously. Of the nine injured, four have now died, while five are in critical condition.

Among the injured, 12-year-old Vinayak Barkeer is the only one to have shown a positive response to treatment and has been shifted to the isolation ward. The remaining five are receiving intensive care at KIMS Hospital.