After Pipili, cracker unit blast claims eight lives in Balasore

Balasore: Hours after a six-year-old girl died and five others lost their eyesight in an explosion at a cracker manufacturing unit at Bilipada near Pipili in Puri district, another blast at Bahabalpur in Balasore district claimed six lives on Wednesday.

According to available information, the victims were engaged in making crackers at one Golak Bihari Pradhan’s house when the mishap took place.

While six persons died on the spot, eight suffered serious injuries and were taken to the district headquarters hospital in an ambulance.

Receiving information about the mishap, a team of fire officials rushed to the spot and doused the flames.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50 for those who sustained serious injuries in the blast. The state government will bear medical expenses of the injured, a press release issued from CMO said.

The Chief Minister has directed the officials concerned to initiate stern action against those responsible for the mishap.

IG, Fire Services, informed that the cracker-making unit was operating illegally without licence.