Mumbai(The Hindu): A balloon seller died after a cylinder of helium which he was using to fill his balloons exploded on the premises of a school in Dombivli on Thursday afternoon. The explosion also left 13 injured. Balloon seller Ram Prasad, 52, has been posthumously booked for causing death and injury due to negligence along with the school management.

According to Kolsewadi police, the blast took place around 1.45 pm on Thursday at the Arya Gurukul school on Nandivali Road.

“The school was hosting its annual festival for students and their families, and Prasad was selling the balloons to the students. He was filling the balloons with helium from a cylinder, which exploded suddenly. Prasad sustained serious burn injuries while five students and eight visiting relatives were injured,” said an officer.

Prasad and the other victims were rushed to Metro Hospital in Kalyan where Prasad was declared dead before admission, while the others were admitted and are being treated.

“We have registered a case against Prasad and the school administration, as Prasad used a cylinder filled with explosive gas without necessary precautions. The school administration too failed to check before allowing him to sell balloons on its premises. They have been booked for causing death by negligence and endangering life or personal safety of others under the Indian Penal Code,” said Thane Police spokesperson PI Gajanan Kabdule.

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