Kendrapada: More than 40 people sustained burn injuries in a firecracker explosion at Balia Bazaar in Odisha’s Kendrapada district during the immersion ceremony of Lord Kartikeswar on Wednesday.
According to sources, there was a firecracker-bursting competition among different puja pandals at the immersion venue at Balia Bazaar. A spark from a firework fell on a heap of stored firecrackers which exploded injuring the people.
All the injured have been rushed to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Kendrapada. Around 33 people injured were initially treated at the DHH and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
At least 10 critically injured have been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with 80-90 per cent burns and are under treatment by a special team of doctors, said SCB emergency officer Bhubanananda Maharana.
“Among the 30 critically injured people, there are 30 men and three women. Five doctors of the hospital’s plastic surgery department began their treatment along with their team. All the preparation were made by the SCB authorities including ICU beds and first aid treatment,” SCB Administrative Officer Abinash Rout told the media.
Meanwhile, Kendrapada MLA Shashi Bhusan Behera met the victims of the mishap and took a stock of the medical treatment, and wished everyone a speedy recovery. ”
Speaking about the mishap, Kendrapada Collector Amrit Ruturaj, “As per our preliminary input, the mishap was triggered by firecrackers during the immersion ceremony. After the detailed investigation by police and other authorities, we will initiate stringent action against those found guilty.”
After the preliminary investigation, Police IG (Central Range) Narasingha Bhol said, “There was no permission for bursting crackers during the immersion ceremony. Without a police permit, firecrackers were burst. Stringent action will be taken against the culprits.”
