Cracker unit fire toll mounts to six

The toll in Nayagarh cracker factory explosion mounted to six today with five more people succumbing to their injuries while undergoing treatment.
One person with injuries died within minutes of being taken to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack early this morning, while four others succumbed during the day.
The body of a man had been recovered from the fire cracker making unit at Tanti Sahi in Itamati area soon after the incident last evening.
The condition of three others of the five remaining injured at the hospital is stated to be 'very critical', officials said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs two lakh to the families of the deceased.

The state government is also bearing the cost of the treatment of the injured, they said.
Law Minister Arun Sahu, who is MLA of Nayagarh, visited the hospital yesterday.