Darjeeling blast: Massive explosion near motor stand, 12 shops destroyed Darjeeling blast: Massive explosion near motor stand, 12 shops destroyed

FE Online |  August 19, 2017: Darjeeling was rocked with a high-intensity explosion in the wee hours of the Saturday morning. The explosion occurred near a motor stand, the news agency ANI reported. 

The report also stated that at least 12 shops were destroyed in the explosion. However, no loss of life or injury was reported so far. The blast occurred in front of the Old Super Market next to the Singamari Motor Syndicate in the heart of the Darjeeling town, as per the report by OneIndia. 

A local resident was quoted by OneIndia as saying, a huge explosion was heard at around midnight which left everyone frightened. 

“We were all very scared and could not sleep throughout the night. Because it happened in the dead of night no one was injured. Had it occurred during the day there would have been many casualties,” the local said.

Meanwhile, the police are investigating the incident. Commenting on the blast the Darjeeling SP Akhilesh Chaturvedi was quoted as saying, “There was a huge blast at around 12.15 am in front of the Old Supermarketown in Darjeeling. Though there has been no loss of life or injury, most of the nearby shops have been damaged. Police are investigating to ascertain what caused the blast and who are behind the blast.”

The locals said that the blast was loud enough to be heard from a distance. As per the report by OneIndia, there was a small crater in the ground at the place where the blast took place. The site of the blast had the view of shattered glass panes of shops on both sides of the road. Even though no one was injured, holes were caused in the iron shutters of most of the shops.