NEW DELHI, November 29 (RIA Novosti) - A cannon salute in honor of an Indian state minister has killed two people and injured six more, the Times of India newspaper said on Thursday.
When Kirodi Lal Meena announced plans to visit the Badoli village in the state of Rajasthan, local residents decided to revert to the age-old tradition of cannon salutes in honor of their high-ranking guest.
The villagers subsequently obtained a 200-year-old cannon, stuffed if with gunpowder, and fired it to greet the arriving minister.
However, the rusty cannon exploded, severely injuring two middle-aged men. The men died on the way to hospital. Six people were also slightly injured in the accident.
