4 injured as helium balloons explode during Velankanni festival in TN
The annual feast of St. Mary's Nativity commenced in Velankanni with a flag hoisting ceremony. Four devotees sustained injuries when helium balloons exploded near the church. Thousands of devotees gathered for the event, which began with a procession. Special masses and a holy car procession are scheduled during the eleven-day celebration. Over a million devotees are expected to visit the shrine…
TRICHY: During the annual Feast of St Mary’s Nativity in Velankanni, four devotees sustained injuries when helium balloons exploded due to firecrackers. The festival commenced with the ceremonial hoisting of the festival flag. This event prompted church staff to burst firecrackers and firework shots, which inadvertently landed on floating helium balloons near the flag mast.
The proximity caused the balloons to detonate, creating a fireball that instilled fear and tension among the crowd for a brief period. The four injured individuals, identified as Kalaiselvan, Ramesh, Richard, and Vijay, sustained burns on their faces, hands, and bodies. They promptly received medical attention and were transported to Nagapattinam Government Medical College Hospital.
The festival kicked off with a procession carrying the festival flag towards the Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. Bishop L Sagayaraj of Thanjavur Diocese blessed the flag before hoisting it amidst a throng of devotees. Notable attendees included Nagapattinam MP V Selvaraj, collector K J Praveen Kumar, rector C Irudayaraj, parish priest J Augustine, and representatives from the state government, such as Finance Minister N Marie Wilson, Housing and Urban Development Minister B Rajkumar, and Chief Whip R Sabarinathan.
The 11-day event, which concludes with flag lowering on September 8, will see hundreds of thousands of devotees flocking to Velankanni. Special masses will be held in various languages throughout the celebration, and a holy car procession is slated for September 7.
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