KATHMANDU: The Home Ministry formed an eight-member committee to investigate the balloon explosion incident that took place at the inauguration ceremony of ‘Pokhara Visit Year 2025’ organized in Pokhara yesterday.

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak formed an eight-member investigation committee under the coordination of Kaski Chief District Officer Bharatmani Pandey. The committee has been mandated to submit an investigation report within 15 days.

The committee includes Pokhara Metropolitan City Chief Administrative Officer Shivaraj Chaulagain, Kaski Police Chief Superintendent of Police Shyambabu Oliya, Armed Police Force Headquarters Chief Superintendent of Police Surya Prasad Timilsina, National Investigation Kaski District Office Deputy Investigation Director Suresh Kumar Tiwari as a member and Kaski Assistant Chief District Officer Ganga Bahadur Chhetri as member-secretary.

The committee will also include an explosives expert. The committee will conduct a detailed investigation into the balloon explosion incident from Sunday.

The Home Ministry has given 15 days to submit a report including precautions and measures to be taken when organizing such programs in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel and Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya were injured while releasing balloons during the ceremony. Both are undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit of the Burn Hospital in Kirtipur.

After forming an investigation committee, Home Minister Lekhak visited the Burn Hospital and inquired about their health conditions.