Bhubaneswar: The toll in firecracker blast in Odisha’s Nayagarh district rose to four on Wednesday after a 15-year-old boy succumbed to his severe burn injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
The deceased has been identified as Amit Singh, a native of Gereda village near Bhanjanagar in Ganjam district. He was staying at his brother-in-law’s house in Nayagarh for studies.
On April 3, six persons sustained serious burn injuries in a blast while preparing firecrackers for a festival at Korada village within Nuagaon police limits. Fire service and police personnel shifted the injured to a primary health centre at Nuagaon and later to district headquarters hospital as their condition remained critical.
Earlier, Hadibandhu Sethi (60) of Minagadia village, who was the owner of the illegal unit, died on Tuesday, while Bapuni Nahak (35), also of Minagadia village, and Niranjan Nahak of Korada village also succumbed during treatment.
Two others, Manoj Nayak (38) and Naba Sethi (35), remain in critical condition at the hospital. Most victims suffered over 70-75% burn injuries, with the minor reportedly enduring nearly 90% burns.
Meanwhile, Nuagaon police have arrested four persons in connection with the incident. Raids on illegal firecracker manufacturing units operating without proper licenses or safety compliance are also underway.
