Indore, Mar 18: Seven persons were killed when a fire broke out after an explosion at an electric car charging point outside a three-storey house in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore city early on Wednesday, officials said. Some cooking gas cylinders inside the house also exploded, which further intensified the fire, they said. The blaze erupted at the house located in Brajeshwari Annex Colony between 3.30 am and 4.30 am, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Kundan Mandloi told PTI.

Seven persons were killed in the fire, he said. A child was reported missing following the incident and was being searched, the ACP said. Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said a car was being charged outside the three-storey house. “There was an explosion at the charging point, and the subsequent fire in the car engulfed the house,” he said. The house doors were fitted with electronic locks, making it difficult for the police to break in, the official said.

Cooking gas cylinders inside the house also exploded, which further intensified the fire, the police commissioner said. “Three persons trapped inside the house during the fire were rescued,” he said.

Nearly 10 persons were reported to be inside the house at the time of the fire, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Amarendra Singh said.

Government Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Dean Dr Arvind Ghanghoria said the bodies of the seven persons killed in the fire were brought to a government hospital. “Two persons rescued during the fire were also brought to the hospital. After receiving first aid, they expressed their desire to be treated at another hospital and were discharged,” he said.

New Delhi, Mar 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia with Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and said that ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains the foremost priority.

In their telephonic conversation, the two leaders agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for regional peace and stability.

“Spoke with HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of Kuwait and conveyed greetings on the upcoming festival of Eid.

“We exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and shared concerns over recent developments,” he said in a post on ‘X’.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains our foremost priority. We agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for regional peace and stability,” he said.

Modi also thanked the Crown Prince for the continued support for the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait.

This was the second time the Prime Minister spoke to the Kuwaiti leader since the West Asia conflict started nearly three weeks ago when the US and Israel attacked Iran, drawing retaliation from Iran which also targeted several Gulf countries.

PM Modi has spoken to a number of leaders of West Asia since the current conflict started. These include leaders from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Israel and Iran.

New Delhi, Mar 18: Silver prices plunged by Rs 6,000 to Rs 2.56 lakh per kilogram in the national capital on Wednesday, while gold dropped by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1.60 lakh per 10 grams due to bearish domestic sentiment, according to the All India Sarafa Association.

The white metal declined by Rs 6,000, or 2.28 per cent, to Rs 2,56,500 per kg (inclusive of all taxes) from Tuesday’s closing level of Rs 2,62,500 per kg.

In the bullion market, gold of 99.9 per cent purity dipped by Rs 1,000, or 0.62 per cent, to Rs 1,60,300 per 10 grams (inclusive of all taxes). The yellow metal had closed at Rs 1,61,300 per 10 grams, up by Rs 1,050.

Gold prices declined as a wave of profit booking by traders met lacklustre physical demand, Dilip Parmar, Senior Research Analyst at HDFC Securities, said.

In the international market, spot silver was trading 0.79 per cent higher at USD 79.92 per ounce, while gold fell USD 16.10, or 0.32 per cent, to USD 4,989.65 per ounce.

Precious metal prices exhibited a mixed performance on Wednesday, with gold trading lower at around USD 4,990 per ounce, while silver gained to USD 79.70 per ounce, Gaurav Garg, Research Analyst at Lemonn Markets Desk, said.

He added that the recent volatility in the bullion market is largely attributed to investor sentiment ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision.

This has created a cautious atmosphere, especially amid rising inflation concerns linked to high oil prices stemming from geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Garg said.

Investors are closely monitoring the outcome of the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting for cues on interest rate trajectory, which is expected to influence policy outlook and gold and silver prices.