4 injured as helium balloons explode during Velankanni festival in TN
Four devotees were injured during the Velankanni festival in Tamil Nadu after firecrackers accidentally ignited helium balloons. The explosion caused a brief panic among the thousands of attendees gathered for the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Why it matters
Highlights safety risks associated with large-scale public religious gatherings and the use of pyrotechnics in crowded spaces.
TRICHY: The annual feast of St Mary’s Nativity commenced in Velankanni in Nagapattinam district on Saturday with the ceremonial hoisting of the festival flag. At least four devotees were injured as some helium balloons exploded due to fire near the church.The festival began with a procession carrying the festival flag towards the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Around 6.45 pm, Bishop L Sagayaraj of Thanjavur diocese blessed the flag and hoisted it on the flag mast near the church amid a sea of thousands of devotees.During the hoisting, church staffers burst firecrackers and skyshots. Suddenly some of the stray crackers fell over the helium balloons floating near the flag mast, causing them to explode into a large fireball. The explosion caused panic and tension for several minutes.At least four devotees—Kalaiselvan, Ramesh, Richard and Vijay—were injured on their faces, hands and bodies.
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