Nine passengers, including two women, were injured in a blast in a private bus near Perambalur on Thursday evening. One of the petrol bombs kept under a seat is suspected to have exploded, police sources said.
The bus was heading to Thuraiyur from Jayamkondan when the incident occurred between Eachampatty and Ammapalayam. Thick smoke engulfed the vehicle carrying at least 70 passengers.
Nine persons who suffered burns were rushed to the Government Hospital in Perambalur. Two bottles filled with petrol, wires and batteries were found in the bus.
A special team of the Perambalur police has been formed to investigate the case. A Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad moved in to handle the other petrol bombs. The police enquired with the crew and some passengers of the bus.
“It appears that someone placed the bomb in the bus at the originating point,” a police official said. Sonal Chandra, Superintendent of Police, Perambalur, and other senior officials conducted investigations at the spot. Scientific assistants also rushed to the spot to ascertain the nature of the inflammable substance.
