Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Diwali, a major cracker explosion claimed two lives and left three others critically injured in Jagatsinghpur district on Wednesday afternoon.
The incident occurred at Mahila village under Tirtol police station when crackers stocked at the house of Manoranjan Swain exploded while making crackers.
According to locals, a loud explosion was heard in the afternoon. Family members tried to escape but could not come out safely and sustained serious injuries. Hearing the sound, neighbours rushed to the spot and informed police. The injured were rescued and taken to the nearby Community Health Centre.
Doctors declared Manoranjan Swain dead at the CHC. Another injured, Soumya Sahil Swain, later succumbed at the hospital.Three others — Subhalakshmi Swain, Bhagyalakshmi Swain and Rahul Raj Mahanta — who were critical, have been shifted to Jagatsinghpur District Headquarters Hospital for treatment.
The impact of the blast was so intense that walls of the house developed cracks and household articles were scattered. Police said investigation is underway. It is yet to be ascertained whether the family had licence for cracker manufacturing.
