A 27-year-old Indian expatriate from Kerala was killed in a gas cylinder explosion at a car showroom in Dubai, news agency PTI reported, citing Gulf News.
Shijin Paul, a native of Kerala’s Kollam district, died after an explosion at a car showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road on Monday.
According to the Dubai Media Office, one person was killed and five others were injured in the explosion.
The Indian Consulate in Dubai confirmed Paul’s death on Tuesday and said it was in touch with his family and local authorities to facilitate the repatriation of his mortal remains, the report said.
Paul worked as the social media manager at the car showroom where the explosion occurred, it added.
A colleague who witnessed the incident told the newspaper that employees rushed out after noticing a fire. Some attempted to douse the flames using fire extinguishers before the gas cylinder exploded.
The incident comes amid concerns over the safety of Indian workers in the Gulf. According to data shared by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, more than 800 Indian nationals died in workplace accidents abroad between 2023 and 2025, with around 55 per cent of the fatalities reported in Gulf countries. Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of deaths during the three-year period at 182, followed by the UAE with 128 fatalities.
Multiple explosions followed by fire reported in Dubai’s Jebel Ali industrial zone
In a separate incident, multiple explosions followed by a major fire were reported along the coast of the United Arab Emirates early Wednesday morning, according to news agency ANI, which cited Iranian broadcaster Press TV.
According to Press TV, citing Arabic-language media and regional sources, at least seven explosions were heard over a span of 20 minutes across Dubai’s Jebel Ali industrial area.
Video footage shared by the broadcaster showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the vicinity of Jebel Ali Port.
Press TV said no individual or organisation had claimed responsibility for the incident. It also cited media reports claiming that UAE authorities had arrested two people for filming the fire following the outbreak of smoke at the site.
Located in southwestern Dubai, Jebel Ali is one of the UAE’s key logistics, commercial and industrial hubs. The area includes Jebel Ali Port and the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), which hosts more than 11,000 companies from over 150 countries and is connected to major highways as well as Al Maktoum International Airport.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
Indian expat from Kerala killed in gas cylinder explosion at Dubai car showroom
