Indian community in Oman mourns long-time residents Pankajakshan and Shajitha
A devastating gas cylinder explosion at a restaurant in Oman’s Bousher District claimed the lives of a Kerala couple on Saturday morning, sending shockwaves through the Indian community in Muscat, reported gulfnews.com.
Oman Blast Claims Lives of Indian Couple Who Lived in the Sultanate for Over 30 Years.
The victims have been identified as 59-year-old Pankajakshan and his wife, 53-year-old Shajitha, residents of Kannur in Kerala. The couple had been living in Oman for more than three decades. According to officials, the explosion was likely caused by a sudden leak of cooking gas, leading to a deadly structural collapse.
The couple’s only daughter, a student in Chennai, has arrived in Muscat to handle the necessary formalities, with support from the Indian Social Club and local authorities.
Emergency teams from Oman’s Civil Defence Authority responded promptly, evacuating the building and administering medical aid, but were unable to save the couple. An investigation is currently underway to determine the precise cause of the blast.
Santhosh Kumar, Community Welfare Secretary of the Indian Social Club in Oman, said efforts are being made to repatriate the bodies to India within two to three days. The Indian expat community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two of its most cherished members, who were known for their warmth and kindness.
