By Roy Denish.
A Batticaloa firecracker explosion at a temple festival claimed the life of a 13-year-old boy after an unexploded firecracker detonated.
A 13-year-old boy tragically died after a firecracker that had failed to explode during a temple festival in Kulamadu, Kiran, Batticaloa, detonated when he approached it to inspect it.
According to Valaichchenai Police, the incident occurred last night (11) at around 11:00 p.m. The victim was a 13-year-old resident of Koolakkadu, Kiran.
During the annual festival of the local Sithi Vinayagar Temple, a large firecracker was lit as part of the night worship rituals. However, when it failed to detonate immediately, it was removed and discarded nearby.
When the boy approached the discarded firecracker to inspect it, it suddenly exploded. He sustained critical injuries and was rushed to Valaichchenai Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, according to preliminary police investigations.
The body of the deceased boy has been placed in the hospital morgue for a post-mortem examination.
Valaichchenai Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.
