Incident

A low-intensity blast occurred at the Rameshwaram Cafe Brookfield branch in Kundalahalli, east Bengaluru on Friday afternoon (01 March). The Fire department officials stated that they received a call at between 1300-1330 hours and reached the spot immediately for rescue operations.

At least nine people including the staff have been reportedly injured. Three of those injured were taken to a hospital nearby where staff stated that two of them had suffered minor injuries. The third had 40 percent burn injuries and was in intensive care. The injury count may increase pending further investigation and official data from the authorities.

Location of the event

The Rameshwaram Cafe is a well-known chain of South Indian quick-service restaurants and is a trademark-registered brand under the mother company M/s. Altran Ventures Pvt. Ltd. It experiences high footfall, especially during lunch hours, weekends, festivals, and holidays. Established in 2021 with two outlets in Bengaluru, it now has branches in Indiranagar, JP Nagar, Brookfield, and Rajajinagar in Bengaluru, Karnataka and one in Madhapur, Hyderabad, Telangana.

Cause

The cause of the explosion, initially suspected to be a cylinder blast, has been ruled out by fire department officials. Meanwhile, Divya Raghavendra Rao, the Founder and Managing Director of the Cafe, refuted claims of a cylinder explosion, emphasising the safety of all cylinders within the kitchen and the absence of identified lapses.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah speaking about the incident reportedly stated that the explosion at Rameshwaram Cafe was a low intensity Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast. He further mentioned that authorities are currently scanning CCTV footage, which captured a man placing the bag.

Current Situation

• The site of the explosion has been sealed as police carry out an investigation.
• The cafe has granted access to all CCTV cameras to the police, and the bomb squad is on-site to determine the cause.
• Fire personnel, along with forensics officials and sniffer dogs and police officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Whitefield, and Indiranagar police stations, are at the spot to conduct investigations.
• Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara reportedly spoke to senior police authorities and took stock of the situation.
• Karnataka Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Mohan and Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayanand are at the site of the incident to overlook the investigation.
• Karnataka Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara is set to visit the site at around 1930 hours.

Potential Impact

• Traffic disruptions are anticipated along Graphite India Main Road and Green Avenue Road as the police have cordoned off the area of the incident to facilitate further investigations.
• While the exact cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained, authorities are likely to enhance security vigilance and measures at nearby public areas, including Kundalahalli Metro Station, SAP Labs Whitefield Metro Station, as well as other metro stations, shopping malls, the airport, and multiplexes across the city.
• Increased security vigilance is expected across other Rameshwaram cafes in the city, including those in Indiranagar, JP Nagar, and Rajajinagar in Bengaluru and Madhapur in Hyderabad, as a precautionary measure.
• Elaborate security measures, including the installation of metal detectors and anti-sabotage check teams, are likely at Vidhana Soudha, Raj Bhavan, High Court, Central and State Government Offices, Foreign Embassies, shopping malls, and other highly crowded areas in the city.
• Considering the ongoing Pre-University Course (PUC) and Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) annual examinations, extra security measures are expected at schools, colleges, hospitals, and other significant locations to alleviate any apprehension or anxiety among the public.

Recommendations

Organisations:

• Stay abreast of updates from local authorities and law enforcement agencies regarding the investigation into the incident.
• Provide transportation arrangements for employees who rely on public transport, as traffic diversions and congestion are anticipated.
• Review and reinforce crisis communication procedures to effectively communicate with employees, clients, and stakeholders in case of emergencies.
• Ensure clear lines of communication to support employees travelling in the area.

Long term Measures:

• Conduct emergency response drills to ensure staff are prepared for similar incidents.
• Keep emergency supplies such as first aid kits, water, and non-perishable food items readily accessible.
• Implement strict protocols for the storage, handling, and transportation of gas cylinders or other explosive material within the organisation building, ensuring compliance with industry
  standards and regulations.
• Establish clear evacuation routes and assembly points to facilitate a swift and orderly evacuation in case of an emergency.

Individuals:

• Remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to authorities promptly.
• Advised to not get panicked and rely on official/ verified information as there may be a surge in potential increase in circulation of WhatsApp forwards or sensational news.
• Traffic disruptions are anticipated along Graphite India Main Road and Green Avenue Road. Therefore, it is advised to avail alternate routes and account for additional travel time.
• Heightened security measures are anticipated at transportation hubs, such as railway and metro stations, as well as Kempegowda International Airport. It is thereby advised to keep all relevant ID cards or soft copies readily accessible.
• Familiarise with emergency exit routes and evacuation procedures in public spaces.
• Stay informed through reliable news sources and official updates from local authorities.
• Exercise caution when visiting crowded areas and always prioritise personal safety.
• Avoid sharing unverified information or rumours about the incident on social media platforms to prevent panic and misinformation.

Emergency Contact Details

• Police – 100
  • Whitefield Police Station- 080-22943472
  • o Bengaluru City Police X (formerly Twitter)- https://twitter.com/BlrCityPolice
• Emergency- 112
• Fire – 101
• Ambulance – 102
• Senior Citizen’s Helpline-1098

Contact Us