Death toll rises to eight in Puri cracker mishap

Bhubaneswar, June 1: The tragic incident in Puri involving a cracker mishap has claimed the lives of eight individuals, as confirmed by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC). Additionally, the SRC reported that 22 patients are currently receiving treatment at various hospitals.

In response to the incident, the Puri Collector has been instructed to provide Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia assistance to the families of each deceased individual.

The unfortunate event occurred during the Chapa Khela, a water sporting event as part of the Chandan Yatra in Narendra Puskarini on May 29. A group of devotees were engaged in celebrations with crackers when an explosion took place due to a splinter from the burning crackers striking the pile. This resulted in burn injuries to 30 individuals who were present to witness the ritual.

Witnesses recounted how hundreds had gathered on the banks of the water body to observe the festival when the accident unfolded. Some devotees, in a bid to escape harm, jumped into the pond.

Initially, the injured were admitted to the Puri district headquarters hospital, with critically injured individuals later transferred to medical facilities in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar for further treatment.