Two Children Die in Palakkad Car Explosion, Mother Critical
Old Maruti 800 Exploded as Family Prepared for Outing
Two children who were undergoing treatment for severe injuries sustained in a car explosion in Polpully, Palakkad, have succumbed to their burns. The deceased are Emileena Maria Martin and Alfred Parpin, children of the late Martin and Elsy from Kaippakode, Polpully. Their mother, Elsy Martin, remains in critical condition with over 90% burns. All three were receiving treatment at a private hospital in Ernakulam.
The devastating incident occurred yesterday evening around 4:00 PM, when the family boarded their old Maruti 800 car for an outing. The car suddenly exploded.
Eyewitnesses found Elsy and the children lying outside the car, which was engulfed in flames from the rear and completely burnt. Elsy Martin is a nurse at a private hospital in Palakkad.
According to a neighbor who was in the ambulance with one of the children, the child reported smelling petrol immediately after the car was started. The explosion occurred when an attempt was made to start the car for a second time. The car had reportedly not been in use for a long time.