A low-intensity blast in a municipal dustbin positioned near the Barabati stadium here on Wednesday morning created panic in the city as people initially thought it to be a bomb explosion with criminal intensions.
At least three persons, including a civic body sweeper, were injured in the blast as the plastic dustbin went off after the explosion.
Police and scientific teams however, after examining the site and the injured persons ruled out use of any explosive device or any criminal motive behind the explosion and said the blast could have been occurred due to some unexploded crackers dumped inside the dustbin by wedding procession parties.
Eye witnesses said they heard a huge noise when the sweeper was taking out the garbage from the dustbin around 7.30 am. The sweeper Sulochana Dei (50) has sustained burn injuries in her hand and face. Two athletes passing by the spot also received minor injuries, sources said.
“Initially, we thought it to be bomb explosion and were on the lookout for safer places after shutting down our shops”, said a nearby tea stall owner adding that people ran helter-skelter after hearing the blast.
Soon local Cantonment police accompanied by scientific teams, arrived at the spot and asked the people to calm down after ascertaining that the explosion was due to fireworks that were carelessly dumped inside the dustbin.
Police said marriage procession parties using fireworks should be extra careful in proper disposal of unexploded crackers. “If fire crackers do not explode after it has been lighted then pour water onto it to destroy it completely”, said a policeman.