A two-year-old boy died after a firecracker exploded inside his mouth in Chhattisgarh’s Surguja district, according to his family members.

The victim Aditya’s parents told journalists that on November 9, the boy put a pop-pop firecracker — that’s called lehsun due to its garlic like shape and is designed to explode when thrown on the ground — in his mouth while playing.

His father Indrajit Manjhi said the firecracker exploded inside his mouth, injuring his gums and causing bleeding. After other children informed the parents about the mishap, the child was first taken to a community health centre in Sitapur and brought back home after the bleeding stopped. However, when the bleeding started again, he was taken back to the health centre next day. Later, he was taken to a mission hospital in Ambikapur on November 11 where he succumbed to his injuries the same night.

The police have registered an accidental death report and further investigation is underway, the father added.