Mumbai, India — A tragic gas explosion at a catering establishment in Kandivli has resulted in the deaths of three individuals, all employees of the Shivani Catering service. They succumbed to their extensive injuries on Sunday evening, following an incident that occurred three days earlier.
Among the deceased are Raksha Joshi, 47, who endured severe burns covering 85 to 90 percent of her body. She was receiving treatment at Kasturba Hospital. Nitu Gupta, 31, and Poonam, 28, who suffered similar catastrophic injuries, were being treated at Airoli Burns Hospital and were pronounced dead on the same evening.
The incident took place around 9 a.m. on Wednesday when gas accumulated from a leaking LPG cylinder, leading to an explosion followed by a significant fire. The catering unit where the explosion occurred is located on the ground floor of a commercial building owned by Gita Timber Traders, situated opposite the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kaushalya Vikas Kendra on Akurli Cross Road No. 3.
Initial investigations suggest that the alleged leak had gone unaddressed for some time, with employees of the catering service reportedly flipping an unstable gas cylinder upside down and submerging it in a tub of water while carrying on with food preparations. This hazardous improvised method has raised questions about safety protocols at the site.
Fire officials have indicated that the catering unit lacked the necessary fire safety permits, raising concerns about compliance in such high-risk operations, especially in residential areas. Four other individuals affected by the explosion remain hospitalized but are reported to be in stable condition. This includes 51-year-old Shivani Gandhi and 39-year-old Janaki Gupta, along with two others, aged 55 and 30, who were also employed at the facility.
As families mourn their lost loved ones, the incident has underscored the urgent need for stringent safety regulations and adherence to fire codes in culinary operations. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion in hopes of preventing future tragedies.