Toll In Explosion At Illegal Firecracker Unit In Odisha’s Khurda Rises To Six

Bhubaneswar: The toll in the explosion at an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit at Bhusandpur village under Tangi police limits in Odisha’s Khurda district touched six on Friday.

The death toll increased after another man succumbed to his burn injuries while being treated at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, sources said.

The deceased was identified as Maheswar Behera of Bhusandapur village. Another person is undergoing treatment at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.

Earlier on Teusday, Dolagobinda Behera (60), who had suffered more than 60 per cent burn injuries, had succumbed at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

Four men had died and as many were critically injured while making highly explosive firecrackers in an under-construction building in the middle of a paddy field for Dola Purnima and Holi celebrations exploded on Monday. The deceased were identified as Sahadeb Behera (75) of Khurda’s Nirakarpur, Brundaban Sahoo (38) of Puri’s Gadishagada and Niranjan Behera (35) and Baraju Behera (30) of Bhusandpur.

Khurda SP Siddharth Kataria had earlier said that no licence was granted for manufacturing firecrackers in that unit which was located on government land.