Dubai: A 27-year-old man from Kerala was killed in a gas cylinder explosion at a car showroom in Dubai, cutting short his dream of bringing his wife and child to the UAE.

The deceased, Shijin Paul, a native of Kottarakkara in Kerala’s Kollam district, was working as a multimedia marketing specialist and handled social media and videography for a car showroom on Dubai’s Sheikh Zayed Road.

The explosion, which occurred earlier this week, also left five others injured. Paul succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

He is survived by his parents, wife and a child.

The Consulate General of India in Dubai confirmed the death and said it is coordinating with local authorities and the family to facilitate the repatriation of his mortal remains.

Colleague Recalls Moments Before Explosion

A colleague, Abid, who witnessed the incident, said that employees rushed out of the showroom after being alerted to a fire.

“Some of us, including Shijin and I, came out after colleagues informed us about the fire. People from nearby shops had also gathered after noticing the flames,” he said.

According to Abid, several people attempted to extinguish the fire using portable fire extinguishers before a gas cylinder suddenly exploded.

“I don’t know exactly where the cylinder was located. The fire appeared to have started near one corner of the showroom, close to some auto service workshops. People were trying to control it when the explosion occurred. Everyone ran for safety,” he said.

Amid the chaos, Abid said he did not immediately realise that Paul had been caught in the blast.

He remembered Paul as a dedicated and dependable colleague who was well-liked by everyone in the team.

Planned to Bring Wife and Child to Dubai

Paul’s former roommate, Nasir, said the young professional had recently been making plans to bring his wife and child to Dubai after his first visit home.

He had joined the company only in November last year and was looking forward to building a better future for his family.

Workplace Safety Concerns

The tragedy comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Indian workers employed in Gulf countries.

According to data released by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, more than 800 Indian nationals died in workplace accidents abroad between 2023 and 2025, with around 55% of those deaths occurring in Gulf nations.

Among Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of workplace fatalities (182) during the three-year period, followed by the United Arab Emirates (128).

The latest incident has once again drawn attention to workplace safety standards for expatriate workers in the region.