Bhubaneswar: The death toll in the unfortunate Puri cracker mishap has risen to nine with the death of one more person, according to a press release issued by the Special Relief Commissioner at 5.00 PM today.
“As per the information of the Health & FW Department, another person died due to an unfortunate fire tragedy in Puri. In this connection, the total death toll raised to 9(Nine),” the release said.
The release further said that the Puri Collector has taken steps to pay Rs 4.00 lakh each towards ex-gratia assistance to the next of kin of the deceased persons.
The release added that 21 patients are under medical treatment in different hospitals.
According to the release, the situation is being closely monitored by the Government.
A total of 30 people sustained burn injuries after a pile of crackers exploded during Chapa Khela (water sporting) of the trinity as a part of Chandan Yatra in Narendra Puskarini on May 29.
Hundreds of people had gathered on the banks of the water body to catch a glimpse of the ritual when the accident happened.
A group of devotees were celebrating the festival with crackers when the explosion occurred after a splinter from the burning crackers struck the heap.
Some of the devotees jumped into the pond to save their lives.
The injured people were admitted to Puri district headquarters hospital initially and later the critically injured were shifted to Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident and directed officials concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
He said the cost of the treatment would be borne from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
