9 injured in Bengaluru cafe blast; CM says man seen placing bag inside eatery

Bengaluru: A sudden explosion rattled the serene atmosphere of Whitefield, Bengaluru, as a blast tore through the popular Rameshwaram Cafe, leaving at least nine individuals injured. The incident unfolded during the bustling lunch hour on Friday, sending shockwaves through the community.

Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G Parameshwara confirmed the unfortunate event, indicating that the blast occurred around 1 pm. Speaking to reporters at the scene, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ruled out a gas leak as the cause, shedding light on CCTV footage that captured a man placing a bag inside the cafe moments before the explosion.

“It is not a high-intensity blast but an improvised one,” CM Siddaramaiah stated, emphasizing the investigative efforts underway to discern the motive behind the incident.

#WATCH | An explosion occurred at The Rameshwaram Cafe in Whitefield, Bengaluru. Injuries reported. Details awaited. pic.twitter.com/9Ay3zBq3vr

— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2024

The injured, comprising both cafe staff and patrons, were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention. Among the wounded were seven customers and two employees, all caught off guard during what should have been a routine lunch break.

Also Read: WATCH: CCTV footage captures moment of blast inside Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram café

“At 1.08 pm today, the fire department received a call about LPG leakage fire in the cafe. When our officers and teams reached the spot, there was no fire or flame. A bag which was lying behind a woman who was sitting with six other customers at the eatery exploded. It is suspected that the explosion could have been caused due to some object in that bag,” explained TN Shivashankar, Director of Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services department, detailing the sequence of events leading to the blast.

Forensic teams are diligently piecing together evidence to ascertain the root cause of the explosion, as authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to ensure the safety of the community. A bomb disposal squad and forensic experts are meticulously combing through the scene for clues, heightening security measures in the area.

As the investigation unfolds, the people of Bengaluru remain on edge, grappling with the aftermath of this unforeseen tragedy. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the imperative need for unwavering vigilance in safeguarding public spaces.