12 injured as gas-filled balloons explode in Lucknow

At least 12 people, including nine children, were injured here Wednesday when gas-filled balloons floating past them suddenly burst, police said.

The incident took place at Nagram in the Uttar Pradesh capital. Curious onlookers were taken by shock when the bunch of balloons suddenly burst and left them scalded.

The seriously-burnt people were rushed to the civil hospital and their condition is said to be serious but out of danger.

Superintendent of Police (Rural) Habib-ul-Hasan told IANS that all the injured were from Bahrauli village.

They were identified as Reeta (13), Sushil (7), Kajal (12), Suraj (14), Abhishek (8), Suraj (12), Sunil (10), Deepti (14), Shivanshu (5), Jageshwar (32), Raj Karan (40) and Ram Kumar (25).

The district magistrate has ordered a probe and asked police to file a case against whoever had released the balloons.

By night, it was discovered that the balloons were released in the afternoon by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at the inauguration of a National Juniors Rowing competition in the city.

A case has been registered against the person who filled the gas in the balloons. The chief minister has also directed officials to release financial assistance of Rs.50,000 each to the injured for treatment.