Nine killed in Bikaner building collapse after cylinder explosion
The explosion occurred around 11 am on Wednesday. According to police, the market primarily housed jewellery-making workshops, many of which were allegedly using illegal gas cylinders.
While the bodies of Kishan Soni (23), Kishanlal Soni (25), Ramswaroop Soni (20), Lalchand Soni (23), and Aslam Malik (31) were recovered on Thursday, the bodies of Salman (35), Aslam (35), and Sachin Soni (22) were found on Wednesday. Ayan (17) passed away during treatment.
A powerful gas cylinder blast in Bikaner’s Madaan Market claimed the lives of nine people on Wednesday. The impact of the blast was so huge that it caused the two-floor basement of a structure and the entire building above it to collapse. While three bodies were recovered on Wednesday, five more were pulled on Thursday morning. One victim died in the hospital.
While the bodies of Kishan Soni (23), Kishanlal Soni (25), Ramswaroop Soni (20), Lalchand Soni (23), and Aslam Malik (31) were recovered on Thursday, the bodies of Salman (35), Aslam (35), and Sachin Soni (22) were found on Wednesday. Ayan (17) passed away during treatment.
Three others — Sushil Soni (60), Uttam (30), and Sameer (18) — are stated to be critically injured and are undergoing treatment at the district hospital.
The explosion occurred around 11 am on Wednesday. According to police, the market primarily housed jewellery-making workshops, many of which were allegedly using illegal gas cylinders.
A police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Several shopkeepers were making jewellery using small gas cylinders, which they refilled from larger ones — all without administrative approval. This illegal practice posed a serious threat to lives. We are now investigating how these shops were allowed to operate without proper fire safety licences. A gas leak caused the blast, affecting around 21 nearby shops. It is feared that gold worth lakhs may be buried in the rubble.”
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed his condolences on social media, stating: “The loss of lives in the Bikaner gas cylinder explosion is heartbreaking. Relief and rescue operations have been ongoing since the incident, and the injured are receiving proper medical care. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant peace to the departed souls and a swift recovery to the injured.”
In response to the tragedy, hundreds gathered at the Bikaner Collectorate demanding compensation for the victims’ families. Around 30 personnel from the State Disaster Response Force, along with police and five fire tenders, worked tirelessly for two days to clear the debris and recover the bodies.
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More
