Father drops 6-yr-old son on red-hot coal during ritual

A six-year-old boy sustained serious burn injuries after his father dropped him on red-hot coals during a ritual in India, a doctor said.

The father was walking barefoot with his son Kartik in his arms on the red-hot embers when he lost his balance and fell during the ritual on Sunday, according to a source.

Bystanders rushed to the rescue and took Kartik to hospital.

‘The boy was admitted on Sunday night in the emergency ward. He has burn injuries on his limbs and on one side of his trunk,’ doctor Jangpreet Singh said.

‘The father also sustained about 15 percent burns. I think it will take at least five to seven days for their wounds to heal,’ Dr Singh said.

Around 600 devotees had gathered for a festival to worship goddess Maa Maariamma. Devotees must fast for seven days before walking on the burning coals in the ancient Hindu practice aimed at appeasing the deity.

Three years ago, a mother carrying her daughter slipped and fell on the hot coals during the same ritual.