Mumbai, January 28
Four schoolgirls, aged between five to 10, were burnt to death today after the CNG cylinder of a Maruti van, in which they were travelling, exploded. The incident took place in the Millat Nagar area in suburban Oshiwara today.
The children had just boarded the van after which the driver started the ignition when the CNG cylinder exploded, the police said. While three children died on the spot, one died in the hospital.
There were 11 children in the overcrowded van and many of them had sustained serious injuries.
The police said the driver of the vehicle escaped unhurt and has been detained for questioning. A case of rash and negligent driving has been registered against him.
Police officials are investigating the possibility that the CNG kit installed in the van may have been of spurious quality. “We still do not know if it was a genuine accident or whether it was caused by negligence on the part of anyone,” a police official from the Oshiwara police station said.
