Tragic Turn in Odisha's Diwali: Electrocution and Explosions Mar Celebrations

In a tragic twist to Diwali celebrations, Odisha faced multiple incidents that cast a shadow over the festivities, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries. The deceased, a man and a woman, suffered electrocution near a temple in Biragovindpur village in Puri district on Monday night. Upon being rushed to the local community health centre, they were declared dead on arrival, as confirmed by the police. Authorities are continuing efforts to identify the victims and have ordered post-mortem examinations.

Amidst these incidents, a firecracker explosion left two youths injured in Cuttack city. The victims, named Ramachandra Padhi, 21, and Sampad Parida, 30, were carrying firecrackers on a scooter. The fireworks on their vehicle ignited accidentally, causing an explosion near Aparnanagr under the Chauliaganj police jurisdiction. Both individuals sustained burn injuries covering 30 to 40 percent of their bodies and were treated at SCB Medical College and Hospital.

Apart from these, firecracker mishandling in Keonjhar district led to three houses being destroyed. Across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, over 70 individuals were admitted to medical facilities due to burn injuries associated with the celebrations, officials reported.