Five children critically injured in cracker explosion

Tiruchirapalli, Oct 8 (UNI) Five children were critically injured when country-made crackers exploded at Pampattipatti village near here today.

Tiruchirapalli Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Das told UNI that they were injured while they misfired the country-crackers.

Initial reports said the children were making the crackers illegally for an unlicensed cracker retailer at the village.

The children K Pandiyan (16), V Sasi Kumar (17) his younger brother V Sathish Kumar (15), P Manikandan (13) and M Raja (16) were rushed to the government headquarters hospital, here.

The children suffered 70 per cent burns and their condition was stated to be critical. The owner of the unlicensed cracker shop was stated to be absconding.

On whether an illegal cracker manufacturing unit was functioning in that village, Mr Das replied he was rushing to the village and further details could be known only after thorough investigations.

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