Elderly man dies after collapsing in LPG queue amid gas shortage in Punjab’s Barnala

A 66-year-old man died after collapsing while standing in a queue for an LPG cylinder in Barnala district on Friday, amid long waiting lines caused by supply shortages. The incident occurred in Shahehna village, where residents had gathered at a local gas agency early in the morning to obtain cooking gas cylinders.

The deceased was identified as Bhushan Kumar Mittal. According to local accounts, he had arrived at the gas agency around 8 am along with his son, Deoraj Mittal, to collect an LPG cylinder. With token number 25, he had been waiting in a long queue as supplies remained limited.

Witnesses said Mittal was sitting on a cylinder while waiting when he suddenly collapsed. People nearby rushed to help, but he is believed to have suffered a severe heart attack and died before medical assistance could arrive.

The incident took place as several areas in Punjab reported long queues at gas agencies due to disruptions in LPG supply linked to the ongoing Iran–Israel–US conflict. Residents said many people have been forced to wait for hours to obtain cylinders.

News of the incident spread quickly through Shahehna village, leaving residents shocked and grieving. Family members later took the body home, and arrangements are being made for a post-mortem examination.