Puri cracker tragedy death toll rises to 15; SRC begins probe 

With the death toll in the cracker explosion near Narendra Puskarini in Puri rising to 15, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) on Wednesday launched an investigation into the incident. The inquiry by the SRC began at the Puri Circuit House from 3 pm and it will continue till 7 pm. 

Eyewitnesses, officials of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri Collector, SP, officers of the Fire Services Department, and others recorded their statements during the investigation. 

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As part of the investigation, shopkeepers, the people who rescued the burn patients, the family members of the injured and the deceased will also have to record their statements before the SRC. 

On May 29, the explosion happened during the ‘Chapa Khela' of the Holy Trinity in the Narendra pond as part of Chandan Yatra when sparkles from exploded crackers fell on a pile of crackers on the Devi ghat-side of the pond. Scores of devotees had gathered there to watch the water sports in the holy pond. Many devotees jumped into the pond to save their lives.

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