BHUBANESWAR: At least six persons, including a minor boy, sustained serious burn injuries in a blast while preparing firecrackers for a festival in Odisha's Nayagarh district on Friday, police said.
The incident took place at Korada village within Nuagaon police limits, they said.
Fire service and police personnel went to the spot and shifted the injured to a primary health centre at Nuagaon.
They were later referred to the district headquarters hospital as their condition remained critical.
"We were in shock when a massive explosion took place. Villagers rushed to the spot and informed fire services and police," a local resident said.
"A police team has been sent to the village, and an investigation has been launched," an officer of Nuagaon police station said.
A similar incident took place in Itamati area of the district in 2016, when at least 9 people lost their lives in a firecracker explosion.