Eleven people were electrocuted in a religious procession in Thanjavur, India.
Image credit: BBC
At least 11 people were electrocuted and 15 more were injured during a religious parade hosted by a temple in Tamil Nadu, southern India.
According to authorities, the disaster occurred when the temple chariot collided with a high-transmission live wire in the Thanjavur district.
There were two children among the fatalities. The death toll could rise, according to officials, because some of the injured were in severe condition.
A complaint has been filed, and police are investigating.
Bhanupriya, fire and rescue worker who goes by one name, told Tamil that the chariot’s generator became caught on a curve on the road. While adjusting it, the top of the chariot came into contact with the high-voltage line.
The death toll could have been far worse, according to eyewitnesses, if it hadn’t been for a puddle of water on the road, which approximately 50 worshippers strolling beside the chariot had stepped aside to escape only seconds before.
According to senior police officials who spoke to the NDTV news channel, the high-voltage wire along the procession path is generally shut off. The supply was not disrupted this time, though, because the chariot was not tall enough to touch the power cables.
MK Stalin, Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, is at Thanjavur to examine the accident site and meet with the bereaved family. His office has promised the families of those killed in the accident 500,000 rupees ($6,542; £5,185) in financial assistance.
According to a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “deeply pained” by the incident. “In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with the bereaved families,” he said, vowing to assist the deceased’s relatives with 200,000 rupees ($2,608; £2,073).
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