Khallikote, Oct 20: In a devastating tragedy just before Diwali celebrations, a young man lost his life in Khallikote area of Odisha’s Ganjam district when a massive firecracker explosion brutally tore off his hand and leg.

The deceased has been identified as Pintu Palei (27), a resident of Kaitada village.

As per reports, the incident took place in Kaitada village under Khallikote police limits around 1 AM last night when Pintu was preparing firecrackers at his home for Diwali. A sudden, powerful explosion occurred, severing his right hand at the elbow and his right leg at the knee. He also suffered severe injuries to multiple parts of his body.

The blast occurred in a small rooftop room where he was working. The explosion was so intense that the tin roof was blown off and walls partially collapsed. The lower portion of the house was also damaged — doors and windows were shattered, and cracks appeared on the walls.

When locals rushed to the spot after hearing the explosion, they found Pintu lying in a pool of blood. Thereafter, the critically injured youth was rescued and rushed to the Khallikote Community Health Centre (CHC) where the attending doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Upon getting the information, police arrived at the scene and seized the body. Subsequently, it was sent for post-mortem.

The incident cast a shadow over the festive celebrations in the area.