Daijiworld Media Network – Dubai

Dubai, Aug 5: A 27-year-old Indian expatriate from Kerala was killed in a gas cylinder explosion at a car showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai, according to media reports.

The deceased has been identified as Shijin Paul, a native of Kollam district in Kerala. The explosion occurred on Monday, claiming one life and injuring five others, according to the Dubai Media Office.

The Indian Consulate in Dubai confirmed Paul's death on Tuesday and said it is coordinating with his family and the local authorities to facilitate the repatriation of his mortal remains.

According to reports, Paul was employed as the social media manager at the showroom where the explosion took place.

A colleague who witnessed the incident said employees rushed out after noticing a fire. Some staff members reportedly attempted to extinguish the flames using fire extinguishers before the gas cylinder exploded.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the safety of Indian workers in Gulf countries. According to data from India's Ministry of External Affairs, more than 800 Indian nationals died in workplace accidents abroad between 2023 and 2025, with around 55 per cent of the fatalities occurring in Gulf nations.

Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of workplace deaths involving Indian nationals during the period with 182 fatalities, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 128.

Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion.