3 injured in Khallikote blast

Brahmapur: Panic gripped Khallikote town in Ganjam district after a powerful explosion ripped through a residential house at Arabindanagar Lane-2 around 4 am on Thursday, leaving three persons seriously injured and causing extensive damage to the building.

The deafening explosion shattered the early-morning silence, jolting residents out of their sleep and triggering panic in the neighbourhood. The intensity of the blast was so severe that an iron security grill was blown away, while the walls of the house suffered extensive damage, with large cracks appearing across them.

The injured persons, who were reportedly inside the house at the time of the explosion, were rushed to a nearby hospital. They were subsequently shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur and later to AIIMS Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment.

Although the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, police suspect that explosive materials stored inside the house might have triggered the blast. However, this possibility is yet to be established. Khallikote police rushed to the spot and initiated an investigation to ascertain the circumstances leading to the explosion. A forensic team and bomb squad examined the site and collected evidence to determine the nature of the explosive material, if any.

The incident has raised serious concerns over the possible storage of explosive substances in a residential locality, particularly in a densely populated area. Residents are awaiting answers about what triggered the massive explosion and whether any safety violations were involved. Investigation is underway.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunil Mohan Patnaik

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