India, Jan. 28 -- Panic gripped locals late Tuesday night after a massive explosion ripped through an illegal firecracker manufacturing unit in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, killing one worker and leaving three others seriously injured. The blast, which took place at Narisho village under Balipatna police station limits in the Odisha Capital, was so powerful that it flattened the unit within seconds.

The deceased has been identified as Abhina Kandi, who succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The injured-Muna Bhoi, Pramod Sahu, and Ramesh Tiwadi-are reported to be in critical condition.

Blast heard miles away, factory reduced to rubble As per preliminary information, the explosion occurred at around 10.30 pm, when firecracker production...