At least 15 injured in firecracker explosion during Jagannath festival in Puri; 4 critical
Firecracker explosion in Puri: At least fifteen people sustained burn injuries after a heap of firecrackers exploded during Lord Jagannath's Chandan Jatra festival in Odisha's Puri on Wednesday.
Hundreds of people had gathered on the banks of Narendra Pushkarinee to witness the ceremonies when the mishap occurred, police said. A group of devotees was celebrating the event with fireworks. A splinter from the burning crackers struck the heap, causing the explosion, they added.
The burning crackers then hit the crowd, and some of them jumped into the water to save themselves, according to police.
According to a doctor, the injured were admitted to the district hospital, with four of them in critical condition.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his grief over the incident and directed officials to ensure that the injured were properly treated.
He stated that the Chief Minister's Relief Fund would bear the cost of the treatment.
- With inputs from agencies
