Gas Cylinder Explosion at UK Religious Festival Injures Several People

Several people were injured after a gas cylinder exploded, destroying a food stall at one of the largest religious festivals in the UK. The Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan celebration in Southall, where thousands gather annually for the Sikh religious procession in West London, was disrupted following the explosion on Sunday (April 6). Videos posted on social media show towering flames engulfing a fabric-covered structure as police officers warn hundreds of people to move away from the fire on South Road just before 1 PM. Two fire trucks rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames while several individuals were injured and some were urgently transported to the hospital, according to the London Fire Brigade. The incident led to the cancellation of the festival by the Hillingdon Council, which was originally scheduled to conclude at 4 PM. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area as investigations into the cause of the explosion continue.