Two scooters parked in the congested Mishri Bazar near the Markaz mosque in Moolganj exploded seconds apart on Wednesday evening, injuring eight people and causing damage to nearby shops, police said. The explosions occurred around 7:30 pm, and the sound was reportedly heard up to 500 metres away.

Injuries and hospitalisation

The injured were immediately rushed to hospital. Two victims were discharged after first aid, while four others, suffering serious burn injuries, were referred to King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow. The remaining two are under observation at a local Kanpur hospital and are reported to be out of danger.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that one of the scooters belonged to Ashwani Kumar, who was among the injured. He told police that he had gone to the market to buy decorative lights for Diwali. The second scooter belongs to Vijendra Prasad Rastogi, a resident of Govind Nagar. Police are yet to contact him.

Investigation and security measures

Multiple agencies, including the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF), have been deployed to investigate the incident from all angles.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal stated, “Nothing is being ruled out at this stage. Forensic experts and specialised teams are examining every aspect to ascertain the source and nature of the blasts. Since Diwali is approaching, we are exploring the possibility of a firecracker-related explosion. A terror angle is also not being ruled out.”

Security has been tightened in surrounding areas, and precautionary measures are being implemented to prevent rumour-mongering. A bomb disposal squad, forensic experts, and anti-sabotage teams are combing the site and collecting samples. Intelligence units are analysing CCTV footage from the area to identify possible suspects.

Damage to property

The explosions caused significant damage to nearby shops. Shopkeeper Mohammad Uwais said, “We were sitting inside the shop when suddenly there was a loud blast. People were startled and items of shops were scattered all over the road.”

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with ongoing investigations while taking safety precautions during the festive season.