Bowbazar is one of the most crowded areas of Kolkata. At the time of the explosion, about 125 people were believed to be living in the two apartment blocks that collapsed.
As consumers are panic buying LPG cylinders amid rumours of shortage, these hoarders are making huge money by selling the cylinders at double the prices.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh have intensified action against hoarding and black marketing of LPG cylinders at the direction of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Visuals of the incident show a visibly Muslim mob intercepting the police convoy and attempting to free him. The situation took a dangerous turn when the mob surrounded the police vehicle and began vandalising it. The police resorted to firing blank shots to disperse the mob after the police team came under attack.