In Odisha, the death toll in the explosion of a stockpile of firecrackers at Puri has reached 11 with three more persons undergoing treatment succumbing to their injuries today. At least 30 people were injured in the explosion that happened during Lord Jagannath’s Chandan Yatra on Wednesday night. The 19 injured are undergoing treatment in different hospitals in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has ordered an inquiry into the incident and announced an ex-gratia amount of 4 lakh rupees each to the next of kin of the deceased. Meanwhile, the police have registered a suo motu criminal case and an investigation is underway.
Disclaimer: This press release is sourced from News On AIR, Prasar Bharti and Press Information Bureau India (PIB).
