Puri firecracker explosion: At least three persons, including a minor, died and 32 others were injured after a heap of firecrackers exploded during Lord Jagannath's Chandan Jatra festival Odisha's Puri on Wednesday night, police said. The accident happened when hundreds of people had gathered along the banks of Narendra Pushkarinee, a local waterbody, to observe the rituals.
"One boy succumbed to his injuries at SCB Medical College in Cuttack and two others died while undergoing treatment in private hospitals in Bhubaneswar," he said.
Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena, Khurda Collector Chanchal Rana and Health Secretary Shalini Pandit visited different hospitals late Wednesday night to supervise the treatment of the injured people.
Jena said that all the injured people were admitted to various private and government hospitals in Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
Health Secretary Pandit said, “Several teams of doctors are trying their best to save the lives of the injured people. As the first 48-hour period is critical for such cases, we are monitoring their health condition.”
She said that the state government is bearing the treatment cost of all those injured in the accident.
Here's how accident happened
According to the police, all the injured persons were admitted to the district hospital, while the conditions of four of them were critical.
A group of devotees were celebrating the festival with fireworks when suddenly, a splinter from the burning fireworks hit the pile, causing an explosion. The burning fireworks then struck the people gathered at the spot, prompting some to jump into the waterbody to save themselves, the police said.
CM Naveen Patnaik expresses grief
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday morning visited a private hospital here to meet the injured persons. Patnaik talked to doctors of the health facility and enquired about the condition of the patients.
Chief Minister Patnaik expressed grief over the incident and directed officials concerned to ensure proper treatment of the injured. He said the cost of the treatment would be borne by the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. "Sorry to hear about the accident near Puri Narendra pool. The chief administrative secretary and the district administration have been directed 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," Patnaik said in a post on 'X'.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed grief at the incident. "I am saddened to hear the news of many injured in the unfortunate accident that took place at Narendra Pushkarini Devighat during the Puri Chandan Yatra. With the blessings of the Lord, it is my wish that those who are under treatment get well soon and return home," Prasad posted on 'X'.
(With agencies input)
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