Girl killed in balloon gas cylinder blast

A 13-year-old girl died in the blast of a balloon gas cylinder at Ichalkaranji in western Maharashtra's Kolhapur district on Sunday, police said.

Sana Shanur Pathan, the victim, was playing outside her house in Swami Mala area when the incident took place, a local police official said.

As a balloon-seller was inflating balloons with gas, the cylinder used for the purpose exploded, and the girl, who was nearby, was severely injured.

Both her hands were blown off in the blast, the official said.

She was taken to Chhatrapati Pramila Raje Hospital in Kolhapur where she succumbed to the injuries.

Her father, Shanur Pathan, is a construction labourer.

Mukesh Rathod, the balloon seller, was arrested for negligence, and further probe was on, the police official said.