Two critical in firecracker explosion in Odisha

Two persons were critically injured in a firecracker explosion in Balipatana area of Khordha district on Tuesday. It is said that firecrackers worth lakhs of rupees exploded in the mishap. 

As per reports, locals suspected that two persons were making firecrackers inside a building located on the banks of Bhargabi river on the outskirts of Jainabad village. Accidentally, the firecrackers went off, leaving the two critically burnt.

However, what actually triggered the firecracker explosion has not been known.   

Hearing the explosion, villagers rushed to the spot and saw the building in flames and under cover of black smoke.

On being informed, police officials and fire services personnel visited the spot and doused the fire. The injured were sent to a nearby hospital. 

However, they managed to rescue the two, whose identities have not been revealed till the time of filing of this report. Police have started an investigation into the matter amid allegations that firecrackers are being illegally manufactured in the area ahead of the Diwali festival.

On October 14, 2024, police had seized huge quantities of firecrackers in a village under Begunia Police limits.

Report by Dwitikrushna Patnaik