Three days had passed.
The explosion was publicly declared to be a gas pipeline detonation underground. A number of responsible individuals were punished, a considerable compensation was made, and the original site was cordoned off, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving. There was no need to enter, however, as the former shopping mall had now become ruins. Moreover, to facilitate external cleanup operations, the area had become off-limits.
The explosion made the news; representatives from the local gas company issued a sorrowful apology letter. The blast resulted in the deaths of two people and injured over one hundred and forty. The two who died were killed by flying manhole covers; most of the injured were scalded by high-temperature steam. The gas company promised to cover the full funeral costs and medical expenses, and the H City government even set up a special team to handle the incident.