Two killed in scrapyard explosion

PANCHKULA - Two teenagers were killed and five others injured in an explosion in a scrapyard at Bhudapur village near here, Friday evening.

According to the police, the deceased boys were identified as Sonu, 12, and Charan Singh, 16.

“A group of boys was sitting near a bonfire that was close to a scrap shop here. Some scrap material was also dumped outside the shop and we suspect that an old bomb shell might have exploded due to the heat,” said a police official.

“Five people - four in early twenties and one who was 60 years old - were injured. They were first taken to the civil hospital here. But four of them, who were serious, have been referred to the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh,” he added.

The bomb disposal squad of Haryana police reached the spot and cordoned off the entire area.

There were some more shops of scrap dealers and the district administration has ordered them to close down till the police investigation is over.