Bhubaneswar, May 14 -- A mishap unfolded in Bhubaneswar after an air-conditioner (AC) compressor exploded inside a hotel located under the jurisdiction of Maitree Vihar police station in the city on Thursday, leaving two persons grievously injured.

According to sources, the fatal incident took place at a hotel situated near a private hospital in the Maitree Vihar locality. Preliminary reports suggest that the explosion occurred in the staircase area on the third floor of the hotel building while gas refilling work was being carried out on the AC unit.

Officials said one of the injured persons is an AC mechanic, while the other is a hotel employee. Both sustained severe injuries in the blast and were immediately shifted to a nearby priva...