NAYAGARH: With four more persons succumbing to their injuries while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) at Cuttack, death toll in the Nayagarh cracker unit blast touched six on Saturday.
On Friday, two persons were killed and 13 others injured in an explosion in the fire-cracker unit at Itamati. With over 80 per cent burn injuries seven of the injured were shifted to SCBMCH in critical condition, of which four died.
Six others are undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. Though the cause of the explosion is yet to be ascertained, preliminary investigation suggested that the unit had a huge stock of fire-crackers. The crackers suddenly caught fire which led to an explosion in the afternoon.
The police have detained the owner of the cracker unit and initiated a probe to find out reasons behind the mishap. The investigating police officials and scientific team have visited the spot.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed grief over the incident. He has announced Rs 2 lakh ex-grati for the family of each deceased person. Wishing speedy recovery of injured persons, he declared that the State Government would bear all medical expenses.