Bhubaneswar, June 1: The death toll from the tragic Puri cracker mishap has reached eight, following the passing of another individual during treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar, as confirmed by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC). Presently, 22 patients are receiving treatment in various hospitals, according to the SRC.

The Puri Collector has been directed to provide Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia assistance to the next of kin of each deceased person, as per the SRC's announcement.

The incident occurred during Chapa Khela, a water sporting event of the trinity as part of Chandan Yatra, on May 29 at Narendra Puskarini. A total of 30 people sustained burn injuries after a stack of crackers exploded. The accident took place amidst hundreds of spectators who had gathered on the banks of the water body to witness the ritual.

A group of devotees celebrating the festival with crackers inadvertently triggered the explosion when a splinter from one of the burning crackers struck the pile.

In a bid to escape harm, some devotees jumped into the pond. Initially, the injured were admitted to the Puri district headquarters hospital, with critically injured individuals later transferred to hospitals in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

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