Two youths, who went missing during a massive explosion at Halisahar in North 24-Parganas, on Thursday afternoon remained untraceable even 24 hours after the incident.

Police on Friday engaged divers to locate the bodies of the two missing youths, Rohit Chowdhury, 17, and Rohit Singh, 22, who were feared to have drowned in the Hooghly after eyewitnesses reported that they fell into the river under the impact of the explosion that killed their friend Sumit Singh, 19, on the spot.

However, till Friday evening, the missing youths could not be spotted despite a rigorous search along the river stretch.

Local sources said that Rohit Chowdhury, was a student of Class XI, whereas Rohit Singh runs the family-owned grocery shop.

Bijpur police have begun a probe into the incident. But no one was arrested in connection with the blast till Friday evening except two youths who were detained for interrogation following a tip about their suspected involvement in the incident.

Meanwhile, a forensic team visited the blast site at Jagannath ghat and collected samples of explosives that had ripped through the area. But the team members reportedly could not immediately ascertain the nature of the explosives that were hidden underground prior to the blast.

Barrackpore police commissioner Manoj Verma visited the spot, along with senior officials, again on Friday, and spoke to the investigating officers and local residents.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Verma said, “We are trying to locate the two missing persons vigorously. However, no results have yielded so far. A team of forensic experts visited the spot of the blast today. They have collected samples of explosives. They will confirm the nature and quantity of the explosive that ripped the area.”

“There has been no arrest so far. But we have got some clues and evidence as well, based on which we are hopeful to arrest the culprits soon”, the police commissioner added.

Investigating officials claimed that the blast actually occurred when the youths were digging a hole into the ground to plant a bamboo pole to pitch a tent for a cricket tournament which was scheduled for Friday.

“The boys were playing cricket and lost a ball near the blast site. After finding the ball, they decided to make a tent and put bamboo poles into the ground for it. While digging one such hole, the blast occurred. It appears that the explosives were kept hidden under the ground which exploded after being hit by a shovel,” the official said.

“The impact of the blast was so strong that Sumit, who was digging the hole, was blown up and fell around 20ft away onto the sun shade of a building of Hukum Chand jute mill. He died on the spot, while two other boys most probably fell into the river,” the investigating official added further.