In an unfortunate incident, two people died while five others were injured in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district as a mortar shell reportedly carried by the floodwaters of Teesta river exploded, police said on Friday.
About the incident
According to the police, the mortar shell belonged to the Army and was carried by floodwaters of Teesta River which was triggerd by a cloudburst and flash floods in neighbouring Sikkim on Wednesday.
It has been reported that the explosion took place at Champadanga village in Kranti block on Thursday evening when one person took the mortar shell home to sell it as scrap metal and tried to break it open.
"The injured persons have been admitted to a hospital. A thorough probe has started. The condition of at least two of the injured persons is extremely critical. The toll might increase," a police officer said.
A Defence official said that the Army has set up lookout teams all along the river downstream.
Both the army and civil administration have been looking for missing persons and equipment lost in the flash flood.
Advisory issued by police
In ligh tof the devastating flood situation in the adjacent state of Sikkim, the Jalpaiguri Police has issued an advisory urging people not to handle any firearm or explosive flowing down the river.
"In light of the severe flooding in Sikkim, certain military equipment including firearms and explosives were carried by the Teesta River. We urge the public to be vigilant and report any unfamiliar objects, crates, packages, firearms or any suspicious items seen floating in the water to the nearest police station immediately.
"Please refrain from handling these items in any manner, as they pose a potential risk of a dangerous explosion," the notice stated.
