KATHMANDU: The government has formed an eight-member committee to investigate the balloon explosion that occurred on Saturday during the inauguration ceremony of the Pokhara Visit Year 2025.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak formed the investigation committee on Sunday morning through a ministerial decision, with Kaski Chief District Officer Bharatmani Pandey appointed as the coordinator.
The committee includes Pokhara Metropolitan City Chief Administrative Officer Shivaraj Chaulagain, Kaski Police Chief Superintendent of Police Shyambabu Oliya, Armed Police Force Headquarters Chief Superintendent of Police Surya Prasad Timilsina, National Investigation District Office Deputy Investigation Director Suresh Kumar Tiwari as a member, and Kaski Assistant Chief District Officer Ganga Bahadur Chhetri as the member secretary.
Additionally, the committee will include an explosives expert. The committee is set to begin its investigation into the balloon explosion incident starting today.
The Home Ministry has given the committee 15 days to submit a report on the cause of the explosion, along with recommendations on precautions and measures for conducting such programs in the future.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel, as well as Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya, were injured in the incident.
Both are currently receiving treatment at Kirtipur Hospital in Kathmandu.
During the official announcement program for Pokhara Visit Year 2025 held on Saturday afternoon, Finance Minister Poudel activated a digital switch to light a candle, which led to the explosion of the balloon bunch.
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