The death toll in the explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Odisha’s Balasore district rose to 10 on Thursday with four more persons succumbing to burn injuries, officials said.
The massive explosion at the illegal firecracker factory at Bahabalpur had claimed the lives of six persons and left nine seriously injured on October 18.
The injured were shifted to Sriram Chandra Bhanja (SCB) Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack on Wednesday night, officials said.
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Nine persons injured in the explosion were received at our hospital. Out of them, four persons with critical burn died during treatment, Superintendent of SCB Medical College and Hospital, Prof. (Dr.) Shyama Kanungo, said.
Five patients, who were critically injured were undergoing treatment at the hospital, Ms. Kanungo said.
A medical board comprising specialists from different departments — including surgery and plastic surgery, has been formed to ensure proper treatment for the five injured persons, whose condition is highly critical, officials said.
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In the aftermath of the explosion at the illegal cracker manufacturing unit, Director General of Police (DGP) R.P. Sharma suspended Santosh Behera, the Inspector In-Charge of Bahabalapur marine police station, for dereliction of duty.
The explosion took place on October 18 evening when firecrackers were being made in the house at Bahabalpur, around 12 km from the district headquarters town of Balasore.
Six persons, whose bodies were recovered, had died on the spot, Balasore District Collector Pramod Kumar Das said.
“The crackers were being made in an unauthorised manner without any legal license,” Mr. Das said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, while expressing concern over the incident, had announced ₹2 lakh each as ex-gratia for the families of those killed in the explosion.
He also said ₹50,000 would be given as assistance to those who suffered critical injuries and free medical treatment would be provided to all injured persons.
Terming the incident as unfortunate, Mr. Patnaik ordered stringent action against those responsible for the explosion.
An inquiry into the incident has been launched and police personnel, fire brigade and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) were present at the site. Forensic experts were also being sent to the spot, police said.
Locals said the impact of the explosion was so severe that the structure, where the firecrackers were being made, was blown up and suffered extensive damage.
Most of the bodies were severely burnt and difficult to recognise, they said.
Police said the exact cause of the incident would be ascertained after the investigation.