MiD DAY speaks to eyewitnesses to the blast, including the waiter who noticed the bag of explosives first
MiD DAY speaks to eyewitnesses to the blast, including the waiter who noticed the bag of explosives first
Nepali national Paras Rimal (19), a waiter at German Bakery, was the first person to notice the bag of explosives, which landed him in hospital. It could have been worse, but seconds before the bag exploded, Rimal was offered Rs 200 for some water by a customer who stood across the road.
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Rimal's friend Pradip Siwal (19), who is also a waiter at German Bakery, said he too was not in the bakery when the blast occurred. "I am Nepali too. In fact, there are 30 of us [Nepali] working here in different restaurants. I was out serving an order when the explosion took place. Paras told me how the manager told our friend Gokul to open the bag, which had the bomb," said Siwal, who said he was not sure if he would resume work at the bakery. "We will have to give it some serious thought. Our friend's bodies will haunt us forever," said Siwal.
No going back
Hyderabad-resident Nagarju-na Reddy (30), a software professional, was saved by his love for cakes. Reddy walked away from his chair and the bomb kept under the next table to treat himself to his second pastry when the bomb went off. "The bomb was next to my table. Had I not walked away to have another cake, I would been blown to pieces," said Reddy.
"After the deafening explosion, the floor and walls were splattered with blood. Some patrons were lying motionless on the floor. Others were moaning. I was shocked and remained rooted to the spot for some time. However, when people started moving the bodies, I joined in," said Reddy, who sustained injuries on his right arm, leg and back.
Having just arrived a week back in Pune for a new job, Reddy now has a tough job convincing his family that Pune is a safe city.
"I will stay in this city. I am not leaving for something like this," he said.u00a0
CCTV footage
Paras Rimal, recuperating at Sassoon hospital has been shown the CCTV footage of the blast, said sources.
The footage has been shared by the O hotel, situated right next to German Bakery where the blast occured. Rimal is one of the key eye-witnesses of the event and is now being kept under heavy security. No press persons are being allowed to meet him.
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