Bhubaneswar, Oct. 11 -- A woman and her son sustained critical injuries in a firecracker explosion at Salikotha village under Jaleswar police limits in Odisha's Balasore district on Friday night.

According to reports, the blast occurred while illegal firecracker manufacturing was underway ahead of Diwali celebrations. Both victims suffered severe burn injuries and were rushed to a local hospital before being shifted to Balasore for advanced treatment.

According to reports, firecracker traders had supplied raw materials to a woman in Salikotha village to prepare firecrackers. During the process, her son carelessly lit a mosquito coil, which caused a sudden explosion. Both the mother and son sustained critical injuries in the blast. They ...