7 kids hurt in another cracker mishap

BALASORE: Days after 11 people, including two minors, were charred to death in a cracker unit explosion in Bahabalpur area, at least seven children were injured as leftover crackers exploded in the district on Sunday.Sources said the mishap occurred when a group of children of Sanadhanadi village within Basta police limits was trying to light unexploded crackers.

The injured children, who were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), are Alok Behera, Hemant Behera, Sarat Behera, Bhagabat Behera, Basudev Behera, Bhajahari Behera and Sadasiva Behera.
While four were discharged after preliminary treatment, one child was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack as his condition deteriorated. The rest two are undergoing treatment at the DHH.

A police official said on Saturday night, villagers had burst crackers, some of which did not explode. “The unsuspecting children collected those in the morning and put on fire. The crackers suddenly exploded injuring them. One child received severe burn injuries as his hand caught fire,” he said. Additional District Magistrate Manmath Pani visited the children at the hospital and announced that they will be provided treatment free of cost.