A terrible incident took place in Sunder Nagri, a neighborhood in northeast Delhi. On the afternoon of May 31, 2025, a loud explosion shocked the local people. The explosion came from a godown, or warehouse, that stored and repaired old CNG cylinders. It happened around 4:30 PM when many people were going about their daily work. Children were playing in the area as usual, and nobody expected something so tragic. This event caused fear and sadness across the community. It was not just loud; it was deadly. People did not know that a normal day would turn into a nightmare.
The godown was located in K-Block of Sunder Nagri. It was used for storing and repairing compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders. These cylinders are usually used in vehicles or for cooking. But this godown was not working safely. It did not appear to follow safety rules or take precautions. People living nearby had no idea that such a dangerous activity was happening so close to their homes. That day, a repair was being done on one of the cylinders. During the process, something went wrong, and the cylinder exploded with a loud, powerful blast.
Three young children were playing near the warehouse at that time. Their names were Raja, Sakib, and Abbas. Raja was only 3 years old, Sakib was 7, and Abbas was 9. They were brothers and lived in the same neighborhood. As children do, they were playing without any worry. Suddenly, the explosion hit them with full force. The blast caused heavy damage, and the children were seriously hurt. People nearby ran to help them, but their small bodies were already badly injured. It was a heartbreaking scene for everyone who saw what happened to the kids.
The explosion did not only harm the children. A man named Arshad, who was 25 years old, was also inside the godown when the blast happened. Arshad worked in the warehouse and was probably helping with the cylinder repair. He was also injured badly in the explosion. He was burned and thrown back by the power of the blast. Emergency teams reached the spot quickly and rushed all the injured people to a hospital. Doctors tried their best to save them. Sadly, Raja and Sakib, the two younger brothers, died during treatment. Their injuries were just too severe.
Abbas, the eldest of the three siblings, was still alive after the explosion. He was taken to the hospital quickly and doctors began treatment. He had serious burns and was in a lot of pain. The community hoped and prayed for his recovery. His condition was considered critical, and he was kept under observation by the medical team. Abbas had to go through many painful treatments. His family was completely heartbroken. Losing two young children and seeing the third one suffer so badly was something no parent should ever face. Their pain was deep and could not be described in words.
Local people said that they often saw cylinders being repaired in the godown. However, they did not realize how dangerous the situation could be. Many people in crowded areas like Sunder Nagri work in small spaces and try to earn a living. But safety is often ignored. The blast was so powerful that it broke the iron gate of the godown. The heavy gate flew outward and hit the children. The blast also sent pieces of metal and debris flying into the street. It was like a bomb had exploded in the neighborhood, causing panic and chaos.
After the explosion, police arrived at the scene and started an investigation. They collected evidence and spoke to witnesses. They found that the godown did not have proper licenses or permission to handle and repair CNG cylinders. It was operating illegally. The warehouse owner was not following safety laws. Legal action was started against the owner. He may face serious punishment for his negligence. Police said that such operations in residential areas are very risky. Storing or repairing gas cylinders without proper safety measures can lead to dangerous accidents, just like this one in Sunder Nagri.
Local leaders and social workers also visited the site. They spoke to the family of the victims and offered help. People from the neighborhood came forward to support the grieving family. Some offered food, money, and moral support. It was a terrible time for the family, but they were not alone. Many people expressed their anger over the unsafe practices in the area. They demanded that the government take strict steps to stop illegal activities like this. The loss of two small children was too big to ignore. People wanted justice for the innocent lives lost in the blast.
The Delhi government was also informed about the incident. Officials from the fire department and municipal authorities reached the spot and checked the condition of the godown. They found that the building did not meet safety standards. There were no fire extinguishers, no emergency exit, and no safety gear used during cylinder repairs. It was a disaster waiting to happen. Authorities sealed the godown and promised to take strict action. They said that such illegal operations must be stopped immediately. They also planned to check other godowns in Delhi to make sure this kind of accident does not happen again.
This tragedy showed how important safety is when dealing with gas cylinders. CNG is very useful, but it can be dangerous if not handled properly. In many places across India, small shops and godowns deal with gas without following safety rules. Workers are not trained, and equipment is often old and faulty. These conditions are very unsafe. If just one cylinder explodes, it can cause fire, injury, or death. People need to understand the risk. Businesses that handle gas must follow rules, use protective equipment, and work in safe places. Otherwise, innocent lives can be lost, just like in this case.
The family of the three children is now facing a very painful time. Losing two sons and seeing the third one in the hospital is a nightmare no one should live through. They never thought their children would be harmed while playing near their home. Their house is now full of silence, sorrow, and sadness. The children’s toys are left untouched. Their schoolbags remain as they were. Their parents are crying day and night. Every moment is filled with pain. This tragedy has taken away their happiness. It is a wound that will never fully heal in their hearts.
The godown owner, who allowed such dangerous work, will likely be punished by law. But the damage has already been done. No punishment can bring back the lives lost. No fine or jail sentence can erase the sorrow of the parents. However, justice is important. It will show others that breaking safety laws is a serious crime. Authorities need to be stricter and more alert. People should not be allowed to set up such risky operations in residential areas. If rules had been followed, this accident might never have happened. We must learn from this to prevent more tragedies.
People in the neighborhood have become more careful after the blast. Many now look at nearby shops and godowns with suspicion. They ask whether gas cylinders or other dangerous items are being stored illegally. Some people have even started asking local leaders to remove unsafe businesses from residential areas. They do not want another explosion. Children are being kept indoors more. Parents are scared to let them play outside. What used to be a peaceful area has now changed forever. Fear has entered people’s hearts. This one incident has shaken the entire neighborhood in a deep and painful way.
The media also covered the story and shared the pain of the family with the world. News channels and newspapers showed pictures of the damaged godown and interviewed people from the area. They asked tough questions about how such a risky business was allowed to run. They asked why the government had not checked or stopped the illegal activity before something terrible happened. The media played an important role in bringing attention to the issue. Their coverage may help bring change. Sometimes, stories like this make people in power take action and improve safety rules and enforcement.
The children who died will always be remembered by their family and neighbors. People have lit candles in their memory. A small corner near the blast site has pictures of Raja and Sakib with flowers and candles around them. Children who used to play with them have placed their toys at the site. Their names are now remembered with tears. They were young, innocent, and full of life. They did not deserve to die this way. This explosion did more than physical damage. It broke hearts and filled many lives with grief. It will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Experts say that such accidents are becoming more common in cities with crowded areas. Poor people often take risks to earn money. They rent cheap spaces and run businesses without thinking much about safety. They cannot afford licenses, equipment, or training. But this is dangerous for everyone. Governments need to help such workers. They should provide training, proper locations, and loans to set up legal businesses. At the same time, rules must be enforced strictly. Illegal godowns and shops must be closed before they cause harm. The safety of people, especially children, must come first at all costs.
Everyone should learn something from what happened in Sunder Nagri. If you see something unsafe in your area, do not stay silent. Report it to the authorities. Tell your neighbors. Do not wait until it is too late. Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Gas cylinders must be stored and repaired only in places that have the right equipment and trained workers. Regular checks must be done by the government. People must be taught how to stay safe around gas. Only then can we stop such painful accidents from happening again. The lives of children depend on it. Their safety is our duty.
This incident was a wake-up call for all of Delhi and even other parts of India. It shows how one small mistake or one illegal act can destroy lives. Two young children are gone forever. Their family is broken. A neighborhood is scared. A worker is badly injured. And all of this happened because of careless handling of something that should have been done safely. We must never forget this tragedy. Let it be a lesson for everyone—from workers to shop owners to government officers. Let us all work together to make sure this never happens again anywhere.