FARUKHABAD: Panic and chaos gripped the area on Saturday afternoon after a powerful explosion tore through a coaching centre in Farrukhabad, killing two students and injuring five others.
The blast, suspected to have been caused by a buildup of methane gas in an underground septic tank, was so intense that it shattered nearby structures and sent debris flying across the street.
The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m. on Sattanpur Mandi Road, near the Katyar Cold Storage, where “The Sun Classes” coaching centre and library operate. At the time of the explosion, around 20 students were present in the building.
According to officials, 26-year-old Akash Saxena, a resident of Vijaydharpur, died on the spot, while 25-year-old Akash Kashyap, from Ninaua, succumbed to his injuries later. Five others, including one female student, were seriously injured and rushed to Lohia Hospital for treatment.
The blast’s impact brought down tin sheds, furniture, and electric poles, and damaged several motorcycles and bicycles parked outside. Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation, with smoke, dust, and cries for help filling the air.
District Magistrate Ashutosh Dwivedi and Superintendent of Police Aarti Singh immediately reached the site along with senior officials to conduct a preliminary investigation.
The DM has ordered the formation of a three-member probe team, headed by the City Magistrate, to determine the cause of the explosion and fix responsibility.
The team has been directed to submit its report to the DM at the earliest.
SP Aarti Singh told reporters that initial findings suggest a methane gas buildup in the septic tank, which likely triggered the explosion. “The cause appears accidental, but all angles are being thoroughly investigated,” she said.
Meanwhile, a four-member team from the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in Kanpur also arrived in Farrukhabad to assist in the probe and rule out any foul play.
The team met injured students at Lohia Hospital in the evening but refrained from making any official statements.
Authorities have cordoned off the site for forensic examination and safety checks on nearby buildings, as the tragic incident raises serious concerns about structural safety standards and maintenance negligence in coaching centres operating in congested urban areas.
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