BHUBANESWAR, Jan 26: At least 22 people, mostly schoolchildren, were injured on Saturday when a gas cylinder exploded close to the venue of a republic day parade in the eastern Indian city of Bhubaneshwar, hospital and police sources said.

Police said a hydrogen-filled cylinder belonging to a balloon- seller accidentally blew up, showering the children who had lined up to watch the annual parade, celebrated nationwide to mark the anniversary of India becoming a republic in 1950.

Doctors at a state-run hospital said the victims were mostly injured in their eyes by the flying pieces of the metal cylinder. At least six people, including four teenagers and the balloon-seller have eye injuries.

The incident occurred about 10am (0430 GMT) shortly after the parade started. The sudden explosion caused panic at the Mahatama Gandhi Road, the main parade route, as people thought it was a terrorist attack.

Navin Patnaik, chief minister of Orissa state, of which Bhubaneshwar is the capital, promised the government would bear the victims’ medical expenses.—AFP