Daijiworld Media Network - Hubballi
Hubballi, Dec 29: The death toll in the gas cylinder blast at the Ayyappa Swamy camp in Achchavva Colony, Hubballi, has risen to six after two more devotees succumbed to their injuries on Sunday, December 29.
The deceased have been identified as Shankar Parashurama Chauhan (29) from Sattur Ashraya Colony, Dharwad, and Manjunath Sanjay Wagmode (18) from Achchavva Colony, Sai Nagar. Both were among the nine devotees who were injured in the explosion.
Shankar, who had lost both his parents, was living with his aunt, while Manjunath, a student, was donning the Ayyappa mala for the first time. The gas cylinder blast, which occurred last Sunday, had already claimed the lives of four devotees. Shankar passed away at 1:30 am on Sunday, while Manjunath succumbed to his injuries at 10:15 am, taking the death toll up to six.
Hospital sources confirmed that two more victims remain in critical condition, while a young boy, Vinayak Baraker, is recovering.