Pressure cooker explosion during midday meal preparation injures two women in Odisha school

In an unfortunate incident, at least two women cooks were injured after a pressure cooker exploded while midday meal preparations were underway at a school in Cuttack district in Odisha on Friday.

As per reports, the incident occurred at Gobindapur Upper Primary School under the Athagarh block in the district. The explosion took place inside the school kitchen when potatoes were being boiled in a pressure cooker for the midday meal. The sudden blast was so intense that it damaged the asbestos roofing of the kitchen.

The injured women have been identified as Tulasi Behera and Chanchala Nayak, both residents of Gobindamadhabpur village, who were engaged as cooks at the school. They sustained injuries due to the explosion and were immediately rushed to Athagarh hospital for treatment, where they were undergoing treatment.

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As per sources, the mishap happened unexpectedly during routine cooking activities, triggering panic at the school premises. Further details regarding the condition of the injured and the exact cause of the explosion are awaited.

The incident has once again raised concerns over the safety conditions and infrastructure of school kitchens operating under the midday meal scheme.