An Indian national, Kamlesh Kumar, was arrested in Nepal after hydrogen gas-filled balloons he prepared exploded during the inauguration of ‘Visit Pokhara Year 2025’, injuring Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Paudel and Mayor Dhanraj Acharya. The incident occurred on February 15 when the balloons ignited from candles lit during the ceremony, leading to minor burn injuries for both officials. Paudel was treated at Kirtipur Burn Hospital and discharged, while Acharya remains under medical supervision. An investigation committee has been formed by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to look into the explosion, which was widely shared on social media.
Kathmandu:
A citizen of India was apprehended in Nepal regarding an event at a tourism celebration where Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Paudel incurred a minor burn injury. As per police reports, the suspect, Kamlesh Kumar, was the individual who inflated balloons with hydrogen gas that detonated during the launch of ‘Visit Pokhara Year 2025’.
The arrests took place after two clusters of hydrogen-filled balloons exploded on February 15, shortly after Deputy Prime Minister Paudel and Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhanraj Acharya released them alongside a banner, following the lighting of candles via an electric switch as part of the ceremony.
The hydrogen-filled balloons ignited as the festival candles were positioned too near to them. Both Paudel and Acharya suffered burn injuries in the incident and were airlifted to Kathmandu for medical care.
In the aftermath, a case was filed against the 41-year-old Kumar in the Kaski district court, stated Deputy Superintendent of Police Basanta Sharma.
Numerous users on social media shared videos captured during the event, depicting the balloons exploding dramatically and injuring attendees nearby.
बेलुन फुटेर आगो सल्किँदा अर्थमन्त्री विष्णु पौडेल र पोखरा महानगरपालिकाका प्रमुख धनराज आचार्य घाइेत भएका छन्। pic.twitter.com/ECIt4H3kuo
— Bipin Sapkota (@bipinsapkota213) February 15, 2025
The explosion was initiated when an automatic switch created a spark that ignited the hydrogen-filled balloons, according to The Kathmandu Post.
Paudel, who also serves as the finance minister, and Acharya both experienced injuries to their hands and faces. Paudel was discharged on Monday following treatment at Kirtipur Burn Hospital in Kathmandu, while Acharya will need to remain under medical observation for several more days, according to sources from the hospital.
Immediately after the incident, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak established an investigation committee to look into the situation.