Hyderabad.19.05.2025: In a tragic incident in Old Basti, seventeen people lost their lives after an air conditioner (AC) compressor exploded, filling their home with thick smoke. The victims, who included women and children, died due to suffocation.
The incident occurred in a building near Charminar, at Gulzar House, where a gold shop was being run by a businessman from Bengal. Relatives of the shop owner, including four families, were staying on the top floor of the building. They were asleep when the AC compressor exploded, releasing thick smoke throughout the floor.
Panic spread as some of the residents tried to escape. However, their escape route to the terrace was locked, and the stairs leading downstairs were too narrow, making evacuation difficult. As the smoke spread quickly, many lost consciousness due to suffocation.
Emergency services were alerted immediately. Rescuers arrived and began evacuating the victims. Initially, it was believed that four or five people had died, but the death toll soon rose to seventeen, including women and small children. All the deceased were relatives, making this tragedy even more painful for the family.
Local authorities, including senior leaders, rushed to the scene to supervise the rescue and relief operations. They confirmed that the incident was caused by a short circuit in the AC, which led to the compressor explosion and subsequent smoke.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences over the tragic loss of lives. The government has promised to provide all necessary support to the affected families.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves across the country, raising serious concerns about building safety and the maintenance of electrical appliances. Authorities are now investigating to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.
