Brahmapur: A festive Ganesh idol immersion procession in Purushottampur town of Odisha’s Ganjam district turned tragic late on Friday night when five young children sustained severe burn injuries after a petrol canister exploded near a generator.
According to sources, the mishap occurred as the procession carrying the Ganesh idol moved through the town. A group of children had been sitting close to the idol on a tractor/procession vehicle, positioned right beside an operating generator set. A fuel canister filled with petrol had been placed next to the hot generator. Overheating from the machine is believed to have ignited the container, causing it to burst and spray flames onto the nearby children, who suffered burns on their backs, legs and bodies.
Residents and procession attendees immediately rushed to extinguish the fire and rescue the injured. The children were first taken to a local Ayushman Arogya Mandir for primary care. Due to the severity of their burns, they were later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur for specialised treatment.
Purushottampur police and the local Tehsildar arrived promptly at the scene and later monitored treatment arrangements at the hospital.
The injured have been identified as Itishree Nayak (4), Suhani Nayak (11), Bhumi Nayak (8), Rahari Nayak (7) and Bikash Nayak (5), all residents of Sitarampur Agraharam Sahi. Medical updates indicate that the condition of all five children is currently stable.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances that led to the fuel ignition.
The incident is the latest in a series of accidents linked to Ganesh immersion festivities across Odisha. On September 16, multiple drowning tragedies claimed at least 11 lives, including several children, in separate incidents reported from Bhadrak, Sundaragada, Ganjam and Jagatsinghpur districts during visarjan processions.