A tragic incident unfolded in the Eluru district of Andhra Pradesh on Diwali day. On East Street, a sack (bag) filled with 'Onion Bombs' exploded, leading to the death of a young man. Six individuals also suffered severe burns and have been admitted to the hospital. The incident occurred near the Gangamma Temple. The 'Onion Bomb' resembles a small dynamite explosion (IED).
According to police, the deceased has been identified as Sudhakar. Allegedly, the blast occurred when Sudhakar, riding an Activa, was transporting a sack filled with 'Onion Bombs'. As the Activa scooter lost balance in a pothole, the 'Onion Bombs' fell, leading to an unexpected explosion. The person seated on the back of the Activa was severely injured, suffering wounds on numerous parts of the body.
The 'Onion Bomb' is a type of firecracker shaped like a bulb or ball that resembles an onion. When ignited, it produces a powerful blast, accompanied by a sudden flash and sometimes smoke. 'Onion Bombs' are comparable to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). In countries like the UK, these firecrackers are limited to commercial displays and are not available for public sale.
The injured individuals include Tabel Sai, Suwara Shashi, K Srinivas Rao, SK Khadar, Suresh, and Satish. Upon receiving the information, Eluru's DSP Shravan Kumar, One-Town CI Satyanarayana, and SI Medina Basha reached the spot and sent the victims for treatment at Eluru Government Hospital. The explosion cast a pall over East Street, attracting a large turnout of local residents.
CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, capturing the entire sequence. In the video, Sudhakar and the person behind him are seen navigating a narrow alley, followed by the blast, engulfing nearby individuals. After the incident, an ominous cloud of black smoke enveloped the vicinity.
