Indian with burn injuries vanishes from Bahrain hospital

An Indian man who was admitted to a hospital in Bahrain with burn injuries has reportedly vanished from the hospital, leading to speculation that he might have been an illegal resident in that Gulf nation.

The man, identified as Sawagat, sustained 40 percent burns Sunday afternoon after he was hit by a Molotov cocktail bomb when rioters attacked a police patrol in Eker.

Sawagat, a vehicle operator, was working on a digger when the attack took place, the Gulf Daily News reported.

Since he was not carrying any identity documents at the time, he was admitted to the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Bahrain's capital Manama after being issued a temporary Central Population Register (CPR) card number.

"According to hospital officials, they received only one case and that person was released later," a spokesperson of the Indian embassy in Manama was quoted as saying.

"No other details were available with them, but we are sure his friends would have provided him shelter and must be treating him at home."

The spokesman said that the man is believed to be from Andhra Pradesh and was apparently an illegal worker and did not want anyone to know about him or the incident.

"We cannot help him unless he comes forward and asks for help," the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, Bahrain's interior ministry said that an investigation has been launched into the incident.