In a tragic incident, seven children were injured, with three in critical condition, after a bomb exploded in an open field in Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, police said. The explosion took place on Sunday afternoon, causing panic and shock among the residents of the area.
The Incident
According to initial reports, the children were playing in an open field near their village when they found an unidentified object buried in the ground. Curious, they began to handle it, which led to a sudden explosion. The loud blast drew attention from nearby locals, who immediately rushed to the scene to help the injured children.
Injuries and Response
The injured children, all aged between 7 and 12, were quickly rushed to a nearby hospital. Three of them are in critical condition due to the severity of their injuries, according to the attending doctors. The remaining four are being treated for burns and other injuries caused by the explosion.
Local authorities, including police and bomb squad personnel, have cordoned off the area and are investigating the nature of the bomb. Preliminary investigations suggest that it could be a remnant from previous criminal activity or an illegally stored explosive.
Police Investigation
Senior police officials have arrived at the scene and launched an investigation to determine how the explosive ended up in the open ground. Bhagalpur Superintendent of Police (SP) said, “We are looking into the matter thoroughly. It seems to be an old, possibly abandoned bomb, but we will confirm the details once the forensic teams examine the site.”
The SP also assured the public that every effort is being made to ensure the safety of the residents and to prevent further incidents of this nature.
Community Concerns
The incident has raised concerns among the villagers about the safety of their surroundings. Many have expressed fear that more such explosives could be hidden in other parts of the area, putting more lives at risk, especially children who frequently play outdoors. The local administration has promised to conduct a thorough search of the area to ensure no other explosives are present.
The tragic incident has left the community in shock and highlights the dangers posed by leftover or illegally stored explosives in rural areas. As authorities continue their investigation, the focus remains on the treatment of the injured children and ensuring the safety of the area.
