Explosion in Agra toilet kills two

Two people were killed in an explosion inside a public toilet in Agra on Friday, police said.

The explosion took place probably in the toilet's septic tank, in the morning hours when there was a long queue, officials said.

An eyewitness told police that there were many people outside the toilet in the morning, waiting for their turn.

"We heard a thud sound. The floor of the toilet collapsed and people sitting on toilet seats fell into the septic tank," the eyewitness said.

While two people were killed on the spot, many others were injured.

Police said the incident took place at a public lavatory at Rakabganj near Idgah bus stand.

Policemen and fire department personnel were busy rescuing people from the debris. A deep crater was seen at the explosion site.

Officials said that apparently there was no duct for passage of gas in the septic tank, leading to the explosion.

"We will look into the details of the reasons behind the explosion but as of now we are focussed on rescue," Inspector Nirmal Singh from Rakabganj police station told IANS by phone.

"Two people in the toilet fell into the sceptic tank and died," Agra Superintendent of Police Samir Saurabh told reporters here.

Rajeev Rathi, environment officer of the Agra Municipal Corporation, said the septic tank had not been cleaned for a long time.