Anandapur: Four minors suffered serious burn injuries after splinters of crackers hit them while they were watching a procession at Dudugaon in Keonjhar district Monday night.
The injured boys, identified as Om Dehury (9) son of Jagabandhu Dehury; Bidu Behera (8), son of Nikara Behera; Rajesh Dehury (10), son of Bama Dehury; and Kulamani Dehury (13), son of Saraswati Dehury, were rushed to the Anandapur hospital first and shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cutttack.
According to reports, a function was organised in the village to mark the end of Raja festival. As a part of this celebration, villagers burst crackers during a procession.
During the procession, a fire particle accidentally fell on a bag containing crackers that caused an explosion.
The boys were watching the procession sitting on a tractor when the splinters hit them.