New footage has emerged showing the moment hundreds of gas-filled balloons ready to be released into the sky during a festival suddenly explode in a huge fireball and burn the group of officials holding them.
The incident took place in the city of Suttur located in Mysore District in the south-western Indian state of Karnataka during the six-day annual Suttur Fair.
According to reports, local seer Shivratri Deshikendra Swami was inaugurating a wrestling tournament when the unexpected explosion took place.
Video Credit: AsiaWire/@sridharvMIRROR
In the video footage, the spiritual leader is seen standing alongside supporters and officials in orange robes to the right of the screen.
As they hold hundreds of gas-filled balloons ready to release into the sky, an explosion is seen to the right of the spiritual leader.
The blaze then stretches through the air and ignites all the other balloons, creating a huge fireball and loud bang.
The startled group then checks on each other, with several people crowding around the elderly seer.
According to reports, Swami suffered minor burns and he was rushed to hospital with three other injured group members.
An eyewitness told local media that an athlete ran to the wrestling arena with a lit torch which came into contact with the balloons, resulting in the explosion.
The incident is being investigated by the local authorities.
Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: AsiaWire
