Toll in Odisha firecracker unit explosion rises to 11

Balasore: The death toll in Bahabalpur cracker unit explosion in Odisha’s Balasore district mounted to 11 on Thursday with four more people succumbing to their injuries while undergoing treatment.

Four persons including a six-year-old girl died during treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The deceased were identified as Ramapada Maiti, Nimainlal Pradhan, Ranjit Samant and Nandini Pradhan of Bahabalpur village.

Yesterday, six persons, including a 4-year-old girl were burnt to death due to the massive explosion in cracker making unit, which is believed to be an illegal one.

As of now, five others who sustained critical injuries in the mishap, are undergoing treatment at SCB Medical.

Following the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed concern and announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The CM also asked the district administration to take action against those responsible for the incident. Bahabalapur marine police station Inspector-in-charge Santosh Kumar Behera was placed under suspension for his alleged negligence.

Police said nearly 7 persons were preparing explosives when the bombs went off and over 25 people from nearby villages came to purchase the crackers.

Though the exact reason behind the mishap is yet to known but it is believed that spark of the lamp might have caused the explosion.