Khurda: Another person succumbed to the severe burns inflicted upon him due to the explosion at an illegaly operating firecracker unit in Bhusandapur under Tangi police limits in Khurda district today.
Four people were killed on the spot and four others were injured in this mishap today morning. However, another victim succumbed to the injuries at the hospital, reports stated.
The seriously injured were first shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and later moved to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. One of them, Dolagobinda Behera of Bhusandapur village succumbed late in the evening while undergoing treatment.
The rest of the three injured persons are critical, and under treatment at SCBMCH. The explosion occurred when the victims were reportedly making firecrackers for the Dola Utsav, which is observed during Holi The exact cause of the explosion, however, is yet to be ascertained.
After getting information at around 10.45 a.m., local police and fire service personnel rushed to the spot and rescued the four injured persons, and sent them to the district headquarters hospital (DHH), said Khurda collector K. Sudarshan Chakraborty.
“The firecracker unit was operating illegally. No license was issued for it. We will investigate the incident and take strict action against the concerned persons,” the Collector said.