3 killed, 33 injured as heap of firecrackers explodes in Odisha

At least three persons, including a minor, died and 33 others were injured after a stockpile of firecrackers exploded during Lord Jagannath‘s Chandan Jatra festival in Odisha’s Puri, police said on Thursday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered an administrative-level inquiry into the firecracker explosion that



occurred on Wednesday night and announced ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased.

According to a statement issued by the chief minister’s office (CMO), the inquiry will be conducted by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department’s additional chief secretary, who is also the special relief commissioner.