Gigantic balloon explodes, 10 injured in Mandya

Mandya: Ten people, including kids, were harmedwhen a giant helium balloon burst in Mandya on Friday.

The injured have been identified as Dasharath (46) and Varun (25) from Bengaluru, Preethi (12), Madesh (11), Rahul (12), Shabnam (10), Kiran (22), Abhi (21), Ramesh (25) and Sindhu (20) 

It is said that the mishap took place when a gathering of people were making arrangements to welcome Congress president Rahul Gandhi, who will visit the town on March 25, and were filling the balloons from a helium cylinder.

Madesh, Preethi, Kiran and Abhi have sustained severe injuries. They were given emergency treatment at the district hospital and were later shifted to the K R Hospital in Mysuru. The workers, who were filling the balloons and, the youngsters watching it were harmed in the impact. The power of the blast was severe to the point that the front segment of a nearby house was also damaged. 

One of the injured, Varun said “We were filling the balloons with helium gas from a cylinder to release it during the visit of Congress leaders. Two balloons were tested and were released. At the point when the third balloon was being filled, it burst”. 

The police arrived at the spot and examined the situation. The contractor would be subjected to inquiry and action will be taken against the ones responsible for this mishap, said the police.