A 14-year-old boy was killed after a firecracker exploded near him during Diwali celebrations at New Abadi Akalgarh, situated along the Ludhiana-Bathinda highway.
The deceased, identified as Sakit Mittal, alias Gagan, was the only son of Pradeep Mittal and the grandson of local businessman Suresh Kumar Mittal. The tragic incident plunged the family, kin and the entire locality into mourning.
During the celebrations, Sakit attempted to light a large firecracker, but it failed to explode. A short while later, as he bent down near the unexploded cracker while attempting to light another one, it suddenly went off, causing a severe neck injury.
The family had gathered at the newly constructed house of Suresh Kumar Mittal’s elder brother, Raj Kumar Mittal, to perform a Diwali puja, according to information.
The hospital also stated that nearly 188 people turned up at the emergency department in 24 hours amid the Diwali celebrations. 103 medico-legal cases were recorded from 8 am on Sunday to 8 am the next day, according to hospital data. The hospital also recorded 11 road traffic accident cases.
He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where Dr Sarabjit Singh declared him brought dead. The news of his untimely death sent shockwaves through the locality.
