Malayali couple killed in gas cylinder explosion in Muscat

KOOTHUPARAMBA: A tragic gas cylinder explosion at a restaurant in Bausher, Muscat, claimed the lives of a Malayali couple. The deceased are Mangattidam Kirachy native V. Pankajakshan (59) and his wife K. Sajitha (53). The couple resided on the upper floor of the restaurant building, which partially collapsed following the blast. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning.

Preliminary evidence suggests that the explosion was caused by a cooking gas leak, according to a statement from the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority. Rescue operations were carried out by members of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority in the Muscat Governorate.

Pankajakshan and Sajitha had been living in Oman for several years and were working as accountants in various companies. Arrangements are currently underway to repatriate their bodies to India. The couple’s only daughter, Bhavisha, is an engineering student in Chennai.