One dead, six hurt as two wheeler packed with firecrackers explodes in Andhra

A man died after the firecrackers referred to as “onion bombs” he was carrying on a two-wheeler exploded in Andhra Pradesh’s Eluru town late on Oct 31, police said.

Pillion rider and five other people standing on the road were injured in the incident when the scooty hit a pothole near a local temple, and the firecrackers bought for Diwali celebrations fell off and exploded.

CCTV footage of the incident showed two men on a white scooter driving through a narrow street at around 12.17 pm. Suddenly, the bike exploded as it approached a point where the street widens and meets a main road, the footage showed.

At least five men were present at the junction at the time of incident. The video showed an explosion and some persons running away with smoke engulfing the area.

News agency PTI quoted a senior official as saying the bag contained “onion bombs” and other crackers that exploded after falling on the road.

The bike rider identified as Sudhakar died on the spot, and the injured were taken to a hospital for treatment, he said.