A transformer installed on the footpath outside Amazon’s office on Bagalur Main Road in Bengaluru exploded on October 7, injuring two pedestrians, including one who suffered serious burns to both hands, according to a report by Vijay Karnataka.
The explosion occurred as people were walking along the footpath. One pedestrian standing close to the transformer fell to the ground during the blast and was helped by passers-by. The person suffered burn injuries to both hands and was taken to hospital for treatment. Another pedestrian sustained minor injuries, the report said.
A student walking near the transformer escaped without injury. The incident reportedly took place on a route used by parents taking their children to school, adding to concerns about the placement and safety of electrical equipment along busy pedestrian paths.
Footage of the explosion, recorded by a dashboard camera in a car travelling near the location, has circulated on social media. The video shows people on the footpath moving towards the road after the blast, while a pedestrian near the transformer collapses. Other people in the area are seen assisting the injured person.
The incident has renewed attention on the risks posed by transformers installed in locations used by pedestrians, particularly children, older people and others who may have limited ability to move away quickly during an electrical fault. The report raised questions about whether transformers in such areas are adequately enclosed, maintained and separated from public movement.
The Bagalur incident also recalls a transformer explosion reported in Bengaluru in 2022 in which a father and daughter died. According to the report, an investigation into that incident found that BESCOM had received a complaint about the transformer before the explosion. The episode had led to allegations of official negligence.
The latest incident has again raised questions about responsibility when electrical infrastructure placed on or beside a footpath creates a direct risk to pedestrians. It also highlights the need to establish whether the transformer had any prior fault reports, what maintenance checks had been carried out and whether the installation complied with applicable safety requirements. The supplied report did not include a response from BESCOM or details of any official investigation into the latest explosion.
The injured pedestrians’ medical condition beyond the reported burns and minor injuries was not provided. Further information is expected from the electricity utility and local authorities on the cause of the explosion, the safety status of transformers along Bagalur Main Road and measures planned at the site.
