Police at the site of the firecracker godown blaze in Attibele on Sunday.
Credit: DH Photo
The death toll in the Attibele firecracker tragedy has touched 16, after another victim passed away on Thursday morning.
Venkatesh (25), one of the victims who suffered at least 30 to 40 per cent burns in the blaze on Saturday, succumbed to his injuries around 4 am.
"He had pre-existing jaundice, which complicated the situation. Despite all efforts, he passed away early this morning," said Dr Arvind Kasthuri, Chief of Medical Services, St John's Medical College Hospital.
Dr Kasthuri explained that the jaundice complicated Venkatesh's treatment and healing. "His history of the condition was discovered during his admission to the hospital. While that didn't change the course of the treatment, it did affect his healing," he told DH.
A massive blaze in a firecracker godown in Attibele on October 7 had killed 14 people and injured four others — Venkatesh; Naveen Reddy, 38; Rajesh, 19; and Dinesh (20). A day before Venkatesh died, Dinesh had succumbed to burns at Victoria Hospital.
Other victims
Naveen, one of the five suspects named in the FIR, who ran the firecracker godown unit, and Rajesh are undergoing treatment at St John's Medical College Hospital. Both of them underwent extensive assessment at the operation theatre on Tuesday, with skin grafting and other procedures done.
Dr Kasthuri said that Rajesh is still critical and in the ICU, with 30-40% of injuries, including significant inhalational burns.
Naveen suffered between 17-20% burns to parts of his face, upper body and back, but is relatively stable.
"He has been shifted from the ICU to the ward and has been speaking to the police, who have been taking statements. But it is tough to say when he will be discharged," he said.