At least three people, including a child, were killed and 32 others injured as a heap of fire-crackers exploded during the Chandan Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath in Puri on Wednesday night, police said on Thursday.

As per the ritual provision during the Chandan Yatra, the deities step out of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath temple and go to the Narendra Puskarini (pond) to take baths during the hot summer. After being smeared with sandal paste, they play in the pond and move around it on a decorated boat. Firecrackers are burst to make the festival more attractive. The festival continues for 21 days.

On Wednesday night, hundreds of people had gathered on the banks of Narendra Puskarini, to witness the rituals when the accident took place on Wednesday night. “Suddenly, the sparkles from exploded crackers fell in the stockpiles of the firecrackers, leading to the explosion. There was a massive explosion, and exploded crackers fell on the devotees gathered there,” said Nigam Patra, a photojournalist of Puri. Even many devotees jumped into the pond to save their lives.

The deceased were identified as two-year-old Priyanshu Swain, Raju Rao, and Roshikesh Karmakar. Sources said the condition of Priyanshu Swain’s father, Debadutta Swain, is critical.

All the injured have been shifted to various hospitals in Puri, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday met the victims who sustained burn injuries and inquired about their health. Later, Naveen ordered a high-level administrative probe into the incident. The probe will be conducted by the additional chief secretary, revenue and disaster management and the special relief commissioner.

The chief minister also announced ₹4 lakh ex-gratia each to the families of those killed in the fire explosion. He also announced that all the medical expenses of the injured will be borne by the state government, from the chief minister’s relief fund.

Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted, “Shocked to know about the devastating firecracker incident at Puri during Lord Jagannath’s Chandan Yatra, leading to injury of several persons. Pray to the Lord for their quick and complete recovery. Solidarity to Odisha government.”