Puri firecracker explosion: Minor boy among three dead

Cuttack: A minor boy, who had sustained critical burn injuries in the firecracker explosion incident in Odisha’s Puri town last night, died while undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital here.

The deceased was identified as Rishikesh Karmakar. He hailed from Matiapada area in Puri and was a Class-X student.

He was admitted to the casualty ward of the hospital in a critical condition. Unfortunately, doctors couldn’t save the boy as he breathed his last during treatment.

On the other hand, two persons, who were injured in the mishap, died at private hospitals in Bhubaneswar while undergoing treatment, taking the toll in the mishap to three.

More than 40 persons were injured in firecracker explosion during the Chandan Jatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri town on Wednesday night. Hundreds of people had congregated near the Narendra pond to witness the event.

An explosion took place while some local youths were bursting firecrackers near the pond to celebrate the occasion. Sources claimed that the youths were bursting firecrackers without receiving any required permission from the authorities concerned.

The injured ones were admitted to various hospitals in Puri, Bhubaneswar, and Cuttack.

“Huge quantities of firecrackers were kept near Narendra pond. Some youths were bursting the crackers one after another. Suddenly, an explosion took place. Many people, including a few children, sustained severe burn injuries in the explosion,” an eyewitness said.