2 hurt in mysterious blast inside auto in M’luru; police chief appeals for calm

MANGALURU: A mysterious blast occurred in a moving autorickshaw at Naguri here, leaving the driver and a passenger with burn injuries. Both have been rushed to hospital.

City Police Commissioner N Shashikumar and forensic experts arrived at the spot and broken pieces of a pressure cooker were found inside the autorickshaw.

Speaking to reporters, the police commissioner said the incident occurred near Kankanady police station when the auto was heading from Naguri towards Pumpwell Circle. The driver first noticed a fire in a plastic bag which the passenger was carrying. The passenger also sustained burns and the interior of the auto was gutted. Both have been shifted to hospital for treatment. There are no eyewitnesses, he added.

The police chief appealed to people to remain calm and said a detailed investigation is being conducted.