Puri: In a shocking incident, at least two people died and over 20 others, mostly children, sustained serious burn injuries in explosion of firecrackers during display of fireworks near Narendra tank here on Wednesday.
According to eyewitnesses, there was a display of fireworks to mark conclusion of 21-day-long Chandan yatra known as Bhaunri yatra.
During the fireworks display, one cracker went off-course ond landed on pile of firecrackers, causing a huge explosion.
As there was no ambulance nearby, people rushed injured to district headquarter hospital (DHH). However, due to lack of facility for treatment of burns in this hospital, about 15 of them were refered to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack.
The district administration organised about two dozen ambulances to shift injured patients to Cuttack.
Collector Sidharth Shankar Swain said 25 persons were injured in the firecracker explosion and they have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Though he did not say about any casualties, unconfirmed reports said two died in the DHH.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik directed the local administration to ensure proper treatment of the injured. The CM said the cost of the treatment will be borne from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Some of the injured are in critical condition.
CM Naveen Patnaik in an X post said, "Sorry to hear about the accident near the Puri Narendra Pushkarini. I have directed the chief administrative secretary and the district administration to ensure proper treatment of the injured and monitor the system. All the medical expenses of the injured will be borne from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Wishing everyone good health in the name of the Lord."
