A powerful explosion reverberated through Bengaluru's bustling Rameshwaram Cafe in Brookfield on Friday, jolting patrons and plunging the eatery into chaos. Kumar Alankrit, a software engineer originally from Bihar's Patna, recounted the harrowing ordeal, having witnessed the catastrophic event firsthand and subsequently sharing the initial video footage of the blast.
Recalling the sequence of events, Alankrit vividly described the moments leading up to the explosion, narrating how he had just received his order and moved a distance of approximately 10 to 15 meters away from the food counter when the calamity struck. The deafening noise and billowing smoke that ensued left him in a state of shock, an experience unlike any he had encountered before.
Alankrit, visibly shaken by the incident that resulted in injuries to nine individuals, including himself, underscored the severity of the situation. Contrary to initial reports, he asserted that more than 15 people sustained injuries, many of whom exhibited symptoms of burns and ear bleeding.
Having embarked on a routine lunch outing around 12:30 pm, Alankrit found himself ensconced within the confines of the cafe, situated near his dwelling in Brookfield. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded establishment, he recounted how a routine phone call from his mother compelled him to seek refuge in the outdoor seating area, moments before the blast occurred.
The sudden and thunderous explosion triggered a pandemonium-like scenario, prompting a frantic rush of patrons towards the exit in a bid to escape the chaos unfolding within. Alankrit vividly recalled the cacophony of screams and the dense plumes of smoke emanating from the kitchen area, exacerbating the atmosphere of fear and confusion.
In the aftermath of the blast, Alankrit bore witness to a scene of devastation and despair, with numerous individuals grappling with injuries of varying degrees of severity. He recounted instances of burnt clothing, head injuries, and elderly individuals in their eighties afflicted with profuse bleeding, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the blast's impact.
Amidst the chaos, the timely arrival of emergency response personnel provided a semblance of order, as ambulances and fire brigade units sprang into action to tend to the injured and contain the situation. Yet, the palpable sense of fear and disbelief lingered, etched upon the faces of those present, as they grappled with the shockwaves of the calamitous event.
Reflecting on the fortuitous turn of events that spared him from grave harm, Alankrit expressed profound gratitude for the providential intervention of his mother's timely phone call. He mused on the profound adage extolling the divine role of mothers, attributing his narrow escape to her maternal instinct, which he likened to the benevolent watchfulness of a guardian deity.
