Nagapattinam, Aug. 30 -- Two people were injured after helium balloons suddenly burst during the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Velankanni Shrine 'Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health' in Nagapattinam on Saturday.

During the flag-hoisting ceremony, helium balloons kept ready to be released into the sky suddenly burst, reportedly due to the heat. Two people who were holding the balloons sustained burn injuries in the incident.

Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Marie Wilson, Nagapattinam MP Selvaraj and District Collector Praveen Kumar, who were standing nearby, escaped unhurt.

The injured were admitted to Nagapattinam Government Hospital for treatment.

The annual festival of the Velankanni Basilica began on Saturday with the ceremonial hoistin...