CUTTACK: Two youths who had sustained critical burns in an explosion while illegally manufacturing firecrackers, succumbed during treatment on Saturday.
The incident had occurred on Tuesday. The deceased, Papun Behera (23) and Biplab Sahu (25) of Puruna Tigiria area were engaged in illegal manufacturing of firecrackers when an explosion took place, leaving them with over 70 per cent burns.
Both were rushed to Tigiria community health centre and then shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack after their condition deteriorated. However, they died during treatment on the day.
Despite the associated hazards, illegal manufacturing of firecrackers is quite common during Diwali as it fetches the makers a seasonal income. In such a situation, lack of proper police enforcement gives way to such illegal activities. In 2013, houses of 25 families of a village were reduced to ashes and an old woman was charred to death following explosion of firecrackers, that were reportedly being manufactured illegally.