5 Karnal kids seriously injured in blast while making ''desi cracker''

Tribune News Service
Karnal, November 8

The festival of lights on Wednesday turned into a nightmare for five children who were seriously injured while they were making a 'desi' cracker by using potassium nitrate and other chemical. 

One of the five children, all in 11 to 15 year group, lost his hands, another had his legs badly mutilated while three others received serious burn injuries at local Shiv Colony.

As per residents, an explosion occurred when the kids were beating the chemical in mortar and pestle for using it in a cracker.

The children were all alone at the roof of a house as family members were busy in Diwali preparations. They came to know about the incident when they heard a loud explosion.

The injured have been identified as Vishnu, Laxman, Ravi, Shivam and Rajesh. They were taken to the Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College and Hospital (KCGMCH), from where Vishnu and Laxman, were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. Vishnu lost his hands, while Laxman's legs were badly mutilated. Their faces were badly burnt in the incident. The remaining three are getting treatment in the KCGMCH.

Karan, brother of Vishnu, said Vishnu and Laxman have been operated upon, while facial surgeries were underway. 

Ram Nagar police have started investigation. "Our team went to PGI to get a statement of the injured, but was unable to do so due to the condition of the boys," said Jaswinder Tuli, incharge of Ram Nagar police post.