Dhenkanal: Two persons were seriously injured in a cracker explosion during a Dola Melan festival at Balarampur village in Dhenkanal Sadar Police Station on Thursday night.
Ravi Dhal and Sanjay Patra, both from the village, suffered extensive burns on their faces, hands, and bodies. They were admitted to the District Headquarters hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
A Dola Melan festival was underway at the Jena Thakurani area in the village. During the night festivities, crackers were being burst. Cracker shad been placed in an open trolley. As a result, sparks from the crackers fell onto other crackers on a hanging trolley, causing them to explode suddenly.
The trolley shook violently, and the youth who had been bursting crackers suffered serious injuries. Others were reportedly running away in fear.
Police reached the spot and started an investigation.