India, Jan. 14 -- A major accident occurred in Odisha's Rayagada town late on Tuesday night during Makar Sankranti celebrations, leaving five people critically injured after a firecracker explosion.

According to reports, some members of the Telugu community were celebrating Bhogi, a key ritual of Makar Sankranti. Firecrackers were being prepared inside a house located between the Yedu Sahi and Majhi Sahi. Around midnight, a fire suddenly broke out at the spot where the firecrackers were stored. This led to a powerful explosion, triggering panic in the locality.

The explosion left five people with severe injuries. Among them were two minors. Locals soon rushed to the spot and helped shift the injured to the district headquarters hospital...