Balasore: In yet another deadly mishap ahead of Diwali, at least seven persons, including a minor were killed while nearly nine were injured in a massive explosion at a cracker unit in Bahabalpur village of Balasore district on Wednesday.
As per reports, the house of one Golak Pradhan where crackers were being made caught fire after an explosion. As per preliminary reports, Pradhan, his son, and four others including two minors were present inside the house during the explosion.
Asked, Balasore Collector Pramod Das said "From preliminary investigation, it seems like all the six including a child whose dead bodies were recovered from the spot were killed after an accidental explosion while making crackers. The fire engulfed everyone present inside the thatched house,"
According to sources, fire brigade personnel reached the spot within 15 minutes and rescued them. The victims were then sent to the nearby hospital where they succumbed to burn injuries, said reports.
However, the exact number of persons inside the house is yet to be ascertained and the death toll may rise.
"From preliminary investigation, it seems like all the six including a child whose dead bodies were recovered from the spot were killed after an accidental explosion while making crackers. The fire engulfed everyone present inside the thatched house," Balasore Additional SP Santosh Nayak said.
Following the incident, CM Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 Lakh each to the kin of the deceased. Moreover, an assistance of Rs 50,000 and free medical treatment was announced for the injured.
Meanwhile, the recent official death was reported from Cuttack after the injured were shifted to SCB medical.
In another such mishap today, a minor girl was killed while four others were injured critically in an explosion while they were making crackers at Bilipada near Pipili in Puri district on Wednesday.
The minor girl was identified as Prajnarani Behera. The injured Amit Behera, Sidhhant Behjera, Tulu Behera, and Reshma Behera were admitted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar.
“Four persons with critical burn injuries were admitted. We have administered the required treatment. But, their condition is very critical as 90 percent of their bodies have been affected. We have referred them to AIIMS,” Capital Hospital director Chittaranjan Das said.