Indian national arrested over hydrogen balloon explosion at Nepal tourism event

Moments before Hydrogen balloons exploded during an event in Nepal injuring the deputy prime minister and mayor - (Screengrab/ Khulasa)

A man responsible for filling hydrogen gas balloons at a tourism event in Nepal has been arrested after an explosion left deputy prime minister Bishnu Paudel and mayor Dhanraj Acharya with burn injuries.

Nepali authorities have arrested Kamlesh Kumar, an Indian national, in connection with the explosion of hydrogen-filled balloons at the inauguration of Visit Pokhara Year 2025. The blast occurred on 15 February when Mr Paudel and Mr Acharya released the balloons while lighting ceremonial candles with an electric switch.