20 bus passengers injured in blast in Uttar Pradesh

20 bus passengers injured in blast in Uttar Pradesh Lucknow, Oct 29 : Over 20 passengers were injured, some of them seriously, in a powerful blast in a bus in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district Thursday evening, police said.

The blast occurred because gun powder carried in a passenger's baggage accidentally exploded in Purwa area of the district, 50 km from the state capital, around 5 p. m.

"It was a private bus carrying over 50 passengers from Purwa to Mohrawan village when a piece of baggage, containing gun powder and kept on the luggage rail above the seats, exploded," Purwa Deputy Superintendent of Police Raja Ram Verma told IANS over phone.

Over two dozen passengers were injured and the condition of some of them is critical, he added.

"Most of them (passengers) received minor injuries and were discharged after first aid from the district government hospital. Some the passengers are still under the observation of the doctors," Verma said.

Police have obtained the names and addresses of all passengers travelling in the bus that belonged to Rahi Bus Service.

"None of the passengers admitted to carrying the gun powder but we have gathered vital clues. The baggage contained over 20 kg of the explosive," Verma said, adding the culprit will be arrested soon.(IANS)