Ten injured in gas balloon explosion near Beach festival

Puri, Nov 25 (UNI) At least ten people were injured, when a huge gas balloon exploded near the Puri beach festival area here today.

Eyewitness reports said a big balloon, containing the message of a multi-national hotel company, was about to be launched after filling of gas from the exhibition sit, when it exploded.

Police said the gas balloon exploded with a big fire ball, followed by a deafening sound. Since it was an open area and close to the sea, the fire did little damage to the numerous stalls at the exhibition on the occasion of the beach festival.

The contractor, his assistants and some local youths, besides onlookers were injured in the mishap. They had been rushed to Puri district hospital.

While three of them were discharged after administering first aid, seven people, including the contractor and two of his relatives, were being treated for burn injury. The attending doctor, however, said all of them were out of danger.

''It was an unfortunate incident but luckily none of the tourists had been injured,'' said R K Patra, one of the organisers of the festival. He said all preventive measures had now been taken to avoid such mishaps in future.

UNI