On August 6, 2025, around 9:00–9:25 AM, an explosion at an oxygen cylinder plant in Mohali, Punjab—operated by High Tech Gases Private Limited, a company that supplies medical oxygen to PGI Chandigarh and other government hospitals in the region—killed two workers and injured four others during the loading and unloading of cylinders in Phase 9 Industrial Area, Mohali.
The shattering blast blew off the factory’s roof, cracked walls of nearby houses, shattered windows, and sent shockwaves up to one kilometer away. Fragments, body parts, and cylinder debris were scattered across the site and even found in nearby Kambali/Kambala village.
The deceased were Mohammad Asif (25) from Lucknow—who had reportedly been working and residing in Mohali for around five years—and Davinder Kumar (27) from Sehari village, Uttar Pradesh. The injured—Akbar Ali (50), Ashok Kumar (44), Sarvesh (45), and Sachin (24)—were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Mohali’s Phase 6. Akbar Ali was discharged; the others remained under observation.
Eyewitnesses reported that one oxygen cylinder exploded—possibly due to an impact during handling—causing a chain reaction among nearby cylinders.
Police immediately registered an FIR under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (causing death by negligence) against factory supervisors, based on a statement by Akbar Ali. The inquiry, headed by DSP Harsimran Singh Bal, was ordered by Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal, with a report expected within a week.
Tensions flared when family members briefly stopped an ambulance, alleging a lack of transparency. DSP Bal pacified the situation and allowed the ambulance to proceed.
A forensic team visited the site on August 7 and collected samples to determine the cause of the blast; legal action will proceed once expert findings are available. Post-mortems were conducted at Phase 6 Civil Hospital, and the bodies were handed over to the families. Davinder’s body was sent to Lucknow for last rites, while Asif’s funeral took place in Chandigarh.
According to The Indian Express, a compensation dispute erupted—Davinder’s family received ₹10 lakh, while Asif’s family was initially offered ₹5 lakh, prompting protests. The management has since assured fairer compensation.
(Rh/Eth/NS/MSM/SE)